A teacher and soldier, he was born in England in 1844 and was educated there. He migrated to Sydney in 1865; controlled schools in New South Wales; and became the Headmaster of a school in Adelaide in 1873. A military enthusiast, he joined the infantry as a private in 1877, rose to the rank of Major in 1880, and Lieutenant-Colonel of 1st Regiment in 1882. He later became Principal of the Teachers Training School. He was appointed Commissioner of Police in 1896.