 Educated at Ennis College, he entered the British Army as an ensign on 1 February 1856, was promoted to lieutenant in the 12th Regiment on 23 February 1858, and served at Limerick and Deal before he arrived in Sydney on 7 July 1859 in command of a draft.On 13 January 1861 he arrived in Brisbane in command of the first detachment in Queensland after separation.He was appointed aide-de-camp and private secretary to the governor on 11 May 1861.