Background
Daly was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Dermot Daly, an officer in the 4th Light Dragoons, and his wife, Mary McIntosh.
Daly was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Dermot Daly, an officer in the 4th Light Dragoons, and his wife, Mary McIntosh.
He joined the Bombay Infantry as an officer cadet in 1840. On 18 May 1849, he raised the 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry, which subsequently became the 21st Prince Albert Victor"s Own Cavalry (Frontier Force) (Daly"s Horse). Daly was promoted to the rank of captain in 1854 and led his regiment during the Indian Mutiny.
The regiment operated in North India and took part in the Siege of Delhi and the Relief of Lucknow.
He went on the command the Brigade of Hodson’s Horse during the war. He subsequently served in the Bombay Staff Corps.
Daly held the position of Governor General of India"s Agent, in Central India between 1870 and 1881, and was promoted to lieutenant-general in 1877. Before leaving India, Daly had taken a great interest in education and had begun a College in Indore which was later named after him.
In the General Election of 1886, Daly stood as the Liberal Unionist candidate in Dundee.
He was beaten by the Liberal Party candidate. He also unsuccessfully contested the seat for the Liberal Unionists in the 1888 Dundee by-election. Daly married, firstly, Susan, the daughter of Edward Kirkpatrick, on 21 October 1852.