The son of Cornelius and Tereasa, of Hill Street, St Helier. At the time of joining the Army he lived in Devonshire Place, St Helier, and worked as a motor mechanic.

After training in Ireland and Aldershot he went to the front with the Jersey Company in December 1915. Two month later, however, in February, he was sent back to Ireland, possibly due to illness. Discharged from the Army in May 1916 as no longer physically fit for war service.