Colonel Henry Phillipps served with the 2^nd Bombay Light Cavalry in the Persia Expedition of 1857, and was present at the bombardment and capture of the forts of Mohumra (Medal and Clasp).

As a lieutenant with the 2^nd Bombay Light Cavalry, Henry Phillipps served with the force under Brigadier Coghlan which captured and destroyed the fort of Sheik Othman in the vicinity of Aden in 1858.

During the 2^nd Afghan War, on the 26^th of April 1879 Lieutenant Colonel Phillipps of the 2^nd Bombay Light Cavalry was appointed to the Poona Horse as 2^nd in Command and Squadron Commander. Lieutenant Colonel Phillipps arrived at Kandahar on the 27 ^th of May 1879 and served with the Head Quarters of the regiment until their return to India in 1881. He took part in the defense of Kandahar, and the sortie to Khairabad, and the battle of Kandahar (Medal and Clasp).