The son of Francis and Alice, of Westley Villas, Simon Place, St Helier. At the time of joining the Army he was working as a hosier.

Traveled to the front with the rest of the Jersey Company in December 1915. Seriously wounded during the fighting at Guillemont and Ginchy in September 1916, he was evacuated for treatment at Mile End Hospital, London. He appears to have returned to duty at some time in 1917, promoted by then to Sergeant. He did not transfer to 2nd Hampshire Regiment in January 1918, but remained with the Royal Irish Rifles. In September 1918, he was gassed and wounded by shrapnel in the back during fighting on Kemmel Hill.