medley entered the royal navy in 1703, and in 1706 was midshipman of the 80-gun with captain price at the relief of barcelona. he passed his examination as lieutenant on 8 february 1710, and on 5 september 1710 was promoted by sir john norris to be lieutenant of ; a few months later he was moved into the 70-gun . in 1717 he was a lieutenant of the 90-gun , flagship of sir george byng in the baltic sea.