In 1893 Winston Churchill entered into his military service, beginning at the Royal Military College in Sandhurst. He graduated as a Cavalry member in 1894, eighth in his class of 150. Against his father's wishes, he commissioned as a Cornet in the 4th Queens Own Hussars on February 20th, 1895. He used his families status to be posted favorably in his coming campaigns. During the 1985 Cuban war for independence, Winston took a two month leave as a reporter, writing for the Daily Graphic. Whilst in Cuba, he was in a fired at on his 21st birthday. Prior to this, he did not car for battle itself, and simply hoped it would not happen to him.
Winston also served in India, where he first participated in combat. Acting as a scout he first fought with the 35th Sikhs unit. It was here that he witnessed a fellow soldier being stabbed to death, and adopted a new outlook on life. He would need to see the glory in the world, become famous, and rely on his luck as it had taken him thus far. He felt the campaign itself in India was not a success, and simply left the tribesmen hostile and still unconquered.
Churchill was transferred to Egypt in 1898. Here he worked again as a correspondent for the media, with the Morning Post. He described to them the Battle of Omdurman as having the last meaningful cavalry charge. He claimed to pass through the battle like a dream, as he escaped unscathed at the end of the charge. During this time he was writing a book titled "The River War", which contained his memoirs about his service.
Winston resigned from the army in 1899 and attempted to enter the realm of politics, where he quickly lost elections. He took a commission from the Morning Post to visit South Africa. He was paired with an army corps that was attempting to recover Britain's two coastal colonies. In his rush to get to the Natal front, he rode on a scout mission aboard an armored train. The train was ambushed on the return trip, and it is here that many officers commended Winston for his bravado in attempting to save the soldiers and train. However, they were severely outnumbered and eventually taken prisoner in Pretoria, capital of the Boers. Using the same luck that permeated his life thus far, he escaped from the prison camp and made into British controlled territory.
He briefly participated in World War One's western front, with command of a Battalion. However, he was stationed in a less active section of land, and as such participated in no named battles during the war.
"Churchill Charges Forth With Sword and Pen." History Net Where History Comes Alive World US History Online Churchill Charges Forth With Sword and Pen Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. <http://www.historynet.com/churchill-charges-forth-with-sword-and-pen.htm>. "Lt. Churchill: 4th Queen's Own Hussars." Churchill Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. <http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/biography/the-soldier/lt-churchill-4th-queens-own-hussars>. Nicholas, Herbert G. "Sir Winston Churchill (prime Minister of United Kingdom)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/117269/Sir-Winston-Churchill>.