 His father took him back to Britain after he caught pneumonia while ascending in a balloon to see the French Army of the Loire in action.Commissioned into the Royal Engineers on 4 January 1871, his service in France had violated British neutrality, and he was reprimanded by the Duke of Cambridge, the commander-in-chief.He served in Mandatory Palestine, Egypt and Cyprus as a surveyor, learned Arabic, and prepared detailed topographical maps of the areas.