Spent 5 years in the 15th Light Horse and 1 year in the Canadian Army Service Corps prior to the First World War.

Enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on 27 September 1915. Served in various units of the Canadian Army Service Corps: 4th Division Train, 1st Divisional Train, #1 Railhead Supply Detachment, Canadian Training Depot, and #11 Supply Company. Convalesced at various times during the way with lumbago, a fracture to the base of the skull, and trench fever. Discharged with the substantive rank of major 31 July 1919 after the war.494