Mallinson took a break from his theological studies to join the Army in 1969, joining the King's Own Royal Border Regiment as a Second Lieutenant on probation,[REF] and served with the infantry in Cyprus, Malaysia, Northern Ireland and Germany.
He transferred to the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) on 28 October 1980,[REF] and was promoted to substantive Major on 30 September 1981 [REF].