Career
Barrow was commissioned into the 102nd Regiment of Foot in 1871. Having joined the Indian Army in 1877, he served in the Second Anglo-Afghan War of 1878 and the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882. He was made Commanding Officer of the Hong Kong Regiment in 1892, and took part in the Tirah Expedition to the North West Frontier of India in 1897.
He was appointed Secretary to the Military Department of the Government of India in November 1901, with the temporary rank of Major-general whilst so employed, and General Officer Commanding 1st (Peshawar) Division in India in 1904.
He was appointed General Officer Commanding the Southern Army in India in 1908. He served in World War I as Military Secretary to the India Office from 1914.