Metcalfe joined his father at Delhi, and succeeded to the baronetcy in 1853. In 1857, Metcalfe was appointed joint-magistrate and deputy-collector, first grade, at
Meerut, and deputy-collector at
Futtepore. On the morning of 11 May 1857 he brought information to Delhi that Meerut mutineers of the previous day were crossing the river to the city. He aided the escape of European inhabitants, and himself reached safety with the help of the Nawab of Jhajjar. Metcalfe went to
George Anson's army at
Kurnaul. On 6 June, he was there when the
Corps of Guides arrived on its march towards the
siege of Delhi. He diverted the Guides into punitive attacks on villages, and the corps was delayed from the
Battle of Badli-ki-Serai. , Delhi, from 1843 At Delhi Metcalfe led the cavalry that attacked the rebels' rear at the
Battle of Najafgarh, and, during the assault of 14 September, guided
George Campbell, with the
52nd light infantry, in the street fighting. The family residence,
Metcalfe House in
Delhi, had been gutted by the rebels, and burned. After Delhi fell, Metcalfe exacted retribution. He did not intervene to save the Nawab of Jhajjar, and the impression was gained that he, rather than the commissioner Charles Saunders, was in charge. Metcalfe was appointed assistant to the agent at Delhi and deputy-collector at Futtepore in 1858, and went home on sick furlough in 1859. Ill-health prevented his return to India. He was made
C.B. in 1864, and retired on an invalid pension in 1866. He died in Paris, on 10 November 1883, aged 54. ==Family==