He went to serve in World War I, earning the Distinguished Service Order in 1915 for bravery in late 1914, with the citation reading: For conspicuous ability on the night of 5th-6th November, 1914, during the operations against the German positions at Tsing-tau, and for great gallantry in rescuing; several wounded men whilst exposed to heavy machine-gun fire.

He personally superintended the reorganisation after the objective was reached, and subsequently carried out a night attack, advancing some thousand yards in the face of strenuous opposition.

[3]He was 34 years old, and an acting lieutenant-colonel in the South Wales Borderers, British Army, commanding the 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment during the First World War when the following deed took place at the Sambre Canal, France for which he was awarded the VC.

On 4 November 1918 at Sambre Canal, France, the 2nd Infantry Brigade, of which the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment formed part, was ordered to cross by the lock south of Catillon.

He reorganized the assaulting and bridging parties and this time effected a crossing but the success of this dangerous operation was entirely due to his splendid leadership.