Evans-Gordon was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the 67th Foot on 15 January 1877. He transferred on 3 July to the Madras Staff Corps of the Indian Army, attached to the 41st Madras Native Infantry in 1880 as Wing Officer and Quartermaster. From November 1881— December 1883 he was extra ADC to the Governor of Madras, M. E. Grant Duff, serving as Wing Officer and Quartermaster in 1883 with the 8th Madras Native Infantry. In 1884, Evans Gordon served under the Foreign Department attached to 1st Regt. Central India Horse (Mayne's Horse) in Guna.