 In 1908 he served on the Mohmand expedition and fought at the engagement of Kharga, for which he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the DSO
He was promoted to Captain in the Indian Army in 1896; Major in 1903, Lt.-Colonel in 1907 and Colonel in 1911.When war was declared in 1914, Fowler returned to England and was promoted to Brigadier-General in command of the 37th Infantry Brigade of the 12th (Eastern) Division part of Kitchener's Army.After training, the Brigade was given its first experience of the Western Front at Ploegsteert Wood on the Ypres Salient in June 1915.