The son of Auguste and Maria, of Clearview Street, St Helier.

As a bugler, soon after arrival in Ireland he took part in recruiting campaign that travelled the country. When the Jersey Company completed training in Ireland and moved to Aldershot in August 1915, he remained behind as a 'Home Service Man', possibly due to his age. He served with 3rd Royal Irish Rifles in Dublin, and took part in supressing the Easter Rising in April 1916. He may have been sent to join the Jersey Company at the front after this, but he did not transfer to 2nd Hampshire Regiment in December 1918. Discharged from the Army in March 1919 having climbed to the rank of Sergeant.