Martin Fitzgerald began his military career as an ensign in the Infantry in 1783, promoted to Lieutenant on 10 Feb 1790. But in June 1796 he was a Brevet Captain in the 1st BNC. He transferred to the 2nd BNC in 1800 and was a Captain Lieutenant on 29 May 1800, then Captain on 5 Oct 1800. He fought in the Second Maharatta War, at Agra, and at Laswarri where he had his horse shot under him. He was at Bhurtpore in 1805. In 1810 he was appointed Officiating Secretary to the Board of Superintendents for improving the breed of cattle. He was a member of the Board in 1812.
He was promoted to Major on 15 Aug 1809, going on furlough from Jan 1815 to 1818 and transferring from the 2nd BNC to the 1st BNC as Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1818. He transferred to the 3rd BLC in 1820 and took the regiment to Jodhpur in 1823 where Lamba was captured. On 1 May 1824 he was CO of the 7th BLC and was made Commandant of the newly raised 10th BLC in 1825. He died on 3 May 1829 at his home at 17 The Circus, Bath. He was married to Barbara Garstin and had at least two sons, John and William Robert.
