 In 1872 he was sworn of the Privy Council.He was appointed Commanding Officer of the 1st (Exeter and South Devon) Devonshire Rifle Volunteer Corps on 27 September 1865.In 1858 Lord Poltimore married Florence Sara Wilhelmine Brinsley Sheridan (d. February 1909), daughter of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, MP, of Frampton Court.