Following his graduation, Tait became a career naval officer, serving in the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean and China.

[2] After serving in World War I, during which he was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO), Tait married Katie Grenfell, daughter of Captain Hubert Grenfell, inventor of illuminated night sights for naval guns, on 3 November 1919.

[1] Under the name Cynthia Tait (1894–1962) his wife became a well-known botanical illustrator, particularly of South African flowers.

[6] It was in this position that Tait was recognised for the smooth mobilisation of the fleet at outbreak of World War II.

[6] After serving as Director of Personal Services at the Admiralty,[6] Tait served as Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic from 1942,[5] and in this capacity, he established and headed a Combined Headquarters in Cape Town, where he led the Royal Navy, South African Army and South African Air Force, which was considered an important factor in maintaining allied domination around the Cape.