Cameron fought during the First World War with the Australian Imperial Force, serving at Gallipoli, Menin Road and Amiens.

In August 1942, Cameron volunteered to serve in the Second Australian Imperial Force and, under his command, the 8th Brigade fought in the Huon Peninsula campaign.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, Cameron volunteered for overseas service, enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 March 1915.

Cameron fought during the Gallipoli Campaign between August and December 1915 and was made company sergeant major in February 1916 while in Egypt following the battalion's withdrawal from the peninsula.

[1] Now a company commander, Cameron attacked an enemy strongpoint with an NCO, killing several German soldiers and capturing two machine guns on 8 August 1918 during the Battle of Amiens.

For these two actions, Cameron was awarded the Military Cross (MC), the citation for which reads: On the morning of 8th August, 1918, in the attack east of Villers Bretonneux, near Amiens, he, with an N.C.O., captured a post held by twelve enemy and two machine guns, which was holding up the advance and causing casualties.

Again, on 11th August, when the company advanced at Rainecourt, he being on his objective with only twelve 1 men consolidating under heavy fire from machine guns and a 77mm.

[3]During an attack on 3 October near Beaurevoir in one of the final actions fought by the AIF during the war, Cameron took charge of forward units of his battalion and consolidated the flank of the brigade assault, for which he received a Bar to his MC.

His quick action and calm confidence enabled the battalion to hold the position gained until other troops passed through in a later attack.

Made a temporary brigadier in January 1941,[6] Cameron was called up on 10 March and he subsequently led the brigade during garrison duties in Western Australia where they were deployed to respond in the event of a Japanese invasion.