 He was educated at Charterhouse School between 1873 and 1878, and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 105th Foot on 13 August 1879.Dorling was commissioned a lieutenant in the 5th (Militia) battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment on 15 November 1879, and transferred to the King′s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry when he received a commission in the regular army.He served as Adjutant of the militia battalion from 30 May 1882 to 20 November 1887, during which he was promoted to captain in his actual regiment on 25 August 1884.