Soldier. Born in Edinburgh. While serving as a Lance Corporal in the British Army, during the Indian Mutiny, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 15th April, 1858, he volunteered to collect the dead and wounded during the attack on Fort Ruhya, while under a heavy fire. He was promoted to sergeant and served at the Battles of Alma, Balaklava and the siege of Sebastopol during the Crimean War. He left the army in 1863.