Edward de Fonblanque came from a military family and joined the Royal Artillery when he was 19, at the onset of World War I. He eventually fought for Britain in both World Wars. He eventually retired as a Major general in 1960. As would be expected for an Olympian in equestrian sport, he served with the Royal Horse Artillery for several tours, and was an instructor at the Equitation School at Weedon from 1921-25. He was commander of the Royal Artillery, 45th Division in 1940-41, and was Chief of Staff for 10 Corps and 10 Army from 1941-43. He then served as Commander of the Corps of Royal Artillery from 1944-45, and later was an Aide-de-Camp to the King in 1947. In peacetime, he was commissioned to Malaya, where he served as Assistant Commissioner of the Civil Defense in 1951 and as Inspector-General of the Federal Home Guard from 1952-58.