Wall entered the Colegio Real de Guardiamarinas, founded at Cadiz by José Patiño in 1717, graduating in the second year of its foundation.
He was then commissioned in the Spanish Navy serving on Real San Felipe (74 guns), under the command of Admiral Gaztañeta, which participated in the campaign of Sicily (1718) until the defeat of the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Cape Passaro.
Wall was then seconded to the Spanish Regiment of Hibernia, commanded by the Marquess of Lede taking part in land battles such as Milazzo and Francavilla.
During the subsequent defence of Ceuta (1720–21), Wall was appointed the Marquis' Aide-de-Camp before being promoted captain in the Regiment of Batavia.

In 1727, Wall accompanied his compatriot James Fitz-James Stuart, 2nd Duke of Berwick (1696–1738) during his ambassadorial visit to the Tsar of Russia; the Scottish Duke was also Duke of Liria and Jérica, heir of the 1st Duke of Berwick, an illegitimate son of James II of England.

Wall was posted on other missions by the Duke of Líria y Jérica, such as to the King of Prussia, who decorated him as a Knight of the Red Eagle.
While a Stuart ambassadorship to Berlin did not materialise, Wall took the opportunity to cultivate numerous contacts throughout Europe, in Parma, Vienna, Dresden as well as in Saint Petersburg and Moscow.

He returned to Spain in 1729.
Between 1732 and 1734, he served in the expedition to Tuscany which placed Prince Carlos on the throne of Parma.
Shortly after, he took part in the War of Naples (1734–35), seeing action at Capua, Messina and Syracuse.

In 1737 he was appointed a Knight of the Military Order of Santiago and in 1741, was created Encomienda of Peñausende, which in addition to Peñausende included Peralejos de Abajo, Saucelle, Saldeana and Barrueco Pardo (now in the provinces of Zamora and Salamanca).

In 1740 he was appointed Colonel of Dragoons, which while under his command displayed his livery colours and family motto : Aut Caesar aut nullus.

Appointed Captain-General in 1744, he participated in the Lombardy campaign in the War of the Austrian Succession, being deployed by Infante Felipe de Borbón "in the boldest attacks".
Promoted Brigadier in 1747, he formed a useful friendship with one of the most influential courtiers of the era, the Duke of Huéscar (later Duke of Alba).

Wounded in action at Piacenza (1746), he transferred to diplomatic service and, in May 1747, was posted to Genoa on a temporary mission "concerning solely military matters"; soon after afterwards, he was posted to London by the new Spanish Minister of State, José de Carvajal, a friend of Huescar.
Wall entered the Colegio Real de Guardiamarinas, founded at Cadiz by José Patiño in 1717, graduating in the second year of its foundation. He was then commissioned in the Spanish Navy serving on Real San Felipe (74 guns), under the command of Admiral Gaztañeta, which participated in the campaign of Sicily (1718) until the defeat of the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Cape Passaro. Wall was then seconded to the Spanish Regiment of Hibernia, commanded by the Marquess of Lede taking part in land battles such as Milazzo and Francavilla. During the subsequent defence of Ceuta (1720–21), Wall was appointed the Marquis' Aide-de-Camp before being promoted captain in the Regiment of Batavia. 
In 1727, Wall accompanied his compatriot James Fitz-James Stuart, 2nd Duke of Berwick (1696–1738) during his ambassadorial visit to the Tsar of Russia; the Scottish Duke was also Duke of Liria and Jérica, heir of the 1st Duke of Berwick, an illegitimate son of James II of England.
Wall was posted on other missions by the Duke of Líria y Jérica, such as to the King of Prussia, who decorated him as a Knight of the Red Eagle. While a Stuart ambassadorship to Berlin did not materialise, Wall took the opportunity to cultivate numerous contacts throughout Europe, in Parma, Vienna, Dresden as well as in Saint Petersburg and Moscow.
He returned to Spain in 1729. Between 1732 and 1734, he served in the expedition to Tuscany which placed Prince Carlos on the throne of Parma. Shortly after, he took part in the War of Naples (1734–35), seeing action at Capua, Messina and Syracuse. 
In 1737 he was appointed a Knight of the Military Order of Santiago and in 1741, was created Encomienda of Peñausende, which in addition to Peñausende included Peralejos de Abajo, Saucelle, Saldeana and Barrueco Pardo (now in the provinces of Zamora and Salamanca). 
In 1740 he was appointed Colonel of Dragoons, which while under his command displayed his livery colours and family motto : Aut Caesar aut nullus.
Appointed Captain-General in 1744, he participated in the Lombardy campaign in the War of the Austrian Succession, being deployed by Infante Felipe de Borbón "in the boldest attacks". Promoted Brigadier in 1747, he formed a useful friendship with one of the most influential courtiers of the era, the Duke of Huéscar (later Duke of Alba).
Wounded in action at Piacenza (1746), he transferred to diplomatic service and, in May 1747, was posted to Genoa on a temporary mission "concerning solely military matters"; soon after afterwards, he was posted to London by the new Spanish Minister of State, José de Carvajal, a friend of Huescar.
Ricardo Wall