Cunliffe began his military career at the
United Services College,
Westward Ho!, where he joined the 1st Warwickshire Militia. He was subsequently commissioned in the
9th Queen's Royal Lancers in 1887. He served in the
Hazara Expedition of 1891 and was awarded the
India General Service Medal with clasp 'Hazara 1891'. He later also participated in the
Chitral Expedition and the
Second Boer War.
First World War When the
First World War broke out, Cunliffe was commandant of the
Nigeria Regiment. He took part in the
Kamerun campaign and, around 1915, in order to take the German fortresses at Garua, he commenced the
Second Battle of Garua. The battle ended in a British victory, and Cunliffe pushed further to give pressure to Central Kamerun, engaging the Germans at the
Battle of Ngaundere. Cunliffe was the British commander during the later half of the
Siege of Mora, arriving on 23 August to reinforce the siege. Due to his efforts, he convinced Captain
Ernst von Raben to surrender with the terms of offering Raben a safe passage back home along with providing him £2000 to pay his Askaris. Following the victory at Mora, Cunliffe was appointed a
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1916. He was then assigned as Brigadier of the HQ unit from 1917 to 1919. After the end of the war, he was appointed a Commander of the French
Legion of Honour and an Officer of the Italian
Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus. ==Later years==