The son of Thomas and Mary, of St Aubin's Road, St Brelade. Prior to the war he lived at First Tower, St Helier.

Trained in Ireland and Aldershot before going to the front with the Jersey Company in December 1915. In March the following year he undertook a course in erecting wire entanglements. Wounded during the fighting at Guillemont and Ginchy in September 1916 he was evacuated for treatment. Back at the front by early 1917, he served through that year and into 1918 when he transferred with most other remaining Jersey Company members to 2nd Hampshire Regiment in January. Promoted by then to Lance Corporal, in May 1918 he may have been wounded in the left arm.