Haly was commissioned as an ensign in the 4th Regiment of Foot on 17 June 1828.

In 1831, Haly became a Lieut.
in the 47th Regiment and made Captain by 1834.

In the Crimean War, Haly was wounded in the Battle of Inkerman (1854) and was rescued by Brevet Major Hugh Rowlands and John McDermond, both of whom received the Victoria Cross for their actions.
Haly received the Order of the Medjidie.

After fighting in the Crimean War, he became Commander of the British Troops in Canada in 1873.
 He was given the colonelcy of the 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot from 1875 to his death.
and promoted General on 1 October 1877.
 
He died in office from gout on 19 March 1878.
 He is buried in the Fort Massey Cemetery.
Haly was commissioned as an ensign in the 4th Regiment of Foot on 17 June 1828. 
In 1831, Haly became a Lieut. in the 47th Regiment and made Captain by 1834.
In the Crimean War, Haly was wounded in the Battle of Inkerman (1854) and was rescued by Brevet Major Hugh Rowlands and John McDermond, both of whom received the Victoria Cross for their actions. Haly received the Order of the Medjidie.
After fighting in the Crimean War, he became Commander of the British Troops in Canada in 1873.  He was given the colonelcy of the 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot from 1875 to his death. and promoted General on 1 October 1877.  
He died in office from gout on 19 March 1878.  He is buried in the Fort Massey Cemetery.
William O'Grady Haly