He served overseas with the Royal Indian Field Artillery on the Western Front,[2] and saw action, which experience marked him profoundly.

He was responsible for the organization of the department and implementation of the administration system for the universal Family Allowances social welfare scheme.

He represented Canada at the meetings of the Defence Committee under the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C., Paris and The Hague.

He said, "The role of the officer in modern war can only be properly discharged if they have education and standing in the community comparable to that of any of the other professions as well as high qualities of character and physique."

In 1949 he appointed Rear-Admiral Rollo Mainguy to head a commission of inquiry into the so-called "mutinees" on several navy ships that year.

The Mainguy Report found no sign of Communist subversion, and noted that the sailors involved had some justified grievances.

Savage, who served in the 56th Field Coy, Royal Engineers, informed Claxton about the recruiting (hazing) practises then in place at the RMC.

As Minister of National Defence, Claxton gave instructions that abuses would not be tolerated when RMC reopened after the war.