The son of Adolphus and Julia, of Cheapside, St Helier. Prior to the war he lived in Poonah Road, St Helier.

Called 'Frank', soon after arriving in Ireland to start Army training, he joined a recruiting party that travelled the country appealing for men to volunteer. A drummer in the Jersey Militia, in Ireland he played the bugle in the Battalion band, soon gaining a reputation as the best musician and taking part in ceremonial duties as a result. When completing training in Aldershot in the autumn of 1915, he appears to have moved onto the bagpipes, and was in charge of the Jersey Company's pipers.

With training completed, in December 1915 he went to the front with the Jersey Company. In January 1916, he reportedly met up with his brother Herbert who was serving in the Canadian Army. He served through 1916 and into 1917, remaining with the Jersey Company. At some point, however, he transferred to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers - possibly in October 1917 when most of the Jersey Company moved to 2nd Royal Irish Rifles.

After the war he reportedly worked as Jersey's first panel-beater.