 Between 1892 and 1899 he was Inspector-General of Prison.He also served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1906 to 1919 and in the Governor's Executive Council from 1914 to 1919.Cardew served as the Acting Governor of Madras from 29 March 1919 to 10 April 1919

Cardew married Evelyn Roberta Firth in 1886 and they had two sons and two daughters.