[1] Commissioned a sub-lieutenant on 15 May 1912,[2] he transferred to the Royal Marines as a lieutenant from the same date (confirmed on 19 December 1914).

[1][3] He served in the First World War, seeing action in the Gallipoli campaign and the Battle of Jutland, and receiving promotion to captain on 30 January 1917.

[4][5] He was officially transferred to the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 30 January 1917.

He was promoted to acting colonel commandant and temporary brigadier on 4 June,[10] and was mentioned in despatches in July.

[1] He was described as "intrepid in action, ruddy in countenance, and forcefully bucolic in language".