The son of Helier and Jane, of Hue Street, St Helier. Prior to the war he was married and lived in Don Road, St Helier.

Soon after arriving in Ireland, he attended a course of instruction at Dollymore, Dublin, gaining a First Class Instructor's Certificate and qualifying as a shooting instructor. In August 1915, while still in Ireland, he gained promotion to acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant.

After completing training in Aldershot, he went to the font with the Jersey Company in December 1915. Served through 1916 until September. In that month he was promoted again, this time to the Company Sergeant Major of 7th Royal Irish Rifles 'C' Company. He was also severely wounded in that month's fighting at Guillemont and Ginchy. After treatment at Bradford's War Hospital, he returned to the Jersey Company at some point in 1917. In January 1918, along with most other remaining Jersey Company men, he transferred to the 2nd Hampshire Regiment and served as Company Quartermaster Sergeant. With that unit, he was awarded the Military Medal in October and the Belgian Croix De Guerre the following month.

Demobilised from the Army in March 1919, he was one of the founding members of the Contingent Association, serving initially as Vice President. Immediately after the war he lived in Windsor Road, St Helier.