He served in the Highland Light Infantry and in the South African War, during which he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Queen's medal (with 3 clasps) and the King's medal (with 2 clasps). He was Staff Captain to Major-General Lord Chesham, and Lt-Gen. Sir H. E. Belfield, KCB 1901-1902. He later served in World War I.
He was Mayor of Harrogate, 1909-1910 and 1910-1911; Alderman of Borough and represented Harrogate in West RidingCounty Council, 1910-1919. He was elected as Conservative Member of Parliament for Bradford North from 1918-1923, for Coventry from 1924-1929 and for Chertsey from 1931.