The son of John and Annie, of L'Ermitage, St Peter.

(Possibly) Known as Willy, he joined the Jersey Company in July 1915 during its training in Ireland. Shortly after he transferred to 'C' Company, 7th Royal Irish Rifles, to serve as Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS). He went to the front in December 1915, alongside the Jersey Company and appears to have remained serving with 7th Royal Irish Rifles for the remainder of the war, thought not necessarily directly in the Jersey Company.

Demobilised from the Army in April 1919. Immediately after the war he lived at 26 St Clement's Gardens, St Clement. Possibly worked for Midland Bank, becoming Hill Street Branch Manager.