The son of an extensive farmer at Ballymoney, Co Antrim. He studied at Queen's College, Belfast, and by taking scholarships was the most decorated student of his time. He had as contemporaries Professor James Cuming and Sir Robert Hart, Bart. He graduated in 1853 and took the MD with honours in 1861. He then entered the Honourable East India Company's service before it was merged in the Indian Medical Service. He took part in the Persian campaign, then passed through the Mutiny, and was later stationed at Poona. His health failing, Surgeon Major Dick retired on a pension in 1876, and lived for thirty-seven years at Garry Ballymoney until his death on October 14th, 1913. He was buried in the Old Church burial-ground. He was unmarried.