The son of Ann, of Le Bourg Cottage, St Martin. Lived in Gorey Village before the war with his wife Amelia and worked as a farm labourer, having previously served in the Royal Navy. His brother William also served in the Jersey Company.

After training in Ireland and Aldershot he went to the front with the Jersey Company in December 1915. In March the following year he undertook a course on Bombing (hand-grenades). Wounded in the foot two months later, he was subsequently posted to Ireland for service with the Royal Irish Rifles Depot Battalion. In April 1917, he moved to the Worcester Regiment to serve in its 16th Battalion.

Demobilised from the Army in March 1919.