His appointments were mainly to staff and administrative postings, including holding the position of Adjutant-General from 1940 to 1943, and commander Queensland Lines of Communication Area from 1943 to 1946.

[1] Educated at the University of Melbourne, he served in the Australian Military Forces as a senior cadet from 1906, and was commissioned through this scheme, reaching the rank of captain by 1909.

[8][3][6] During this time he directed the assembly of a Court of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the events of the Japanese landings in New Britain, Timor and Ambon in 1942, including the subsequent massacre of Australian personnel and civilians at Tol plantation.

[11] He also supported proposals which later resulted in the establishment of Directorate of Research and Civil Affairs (DORCA)[12][13][14] and of the Australian Army Education Service (AAES).

[6] His funeral was held on 31 May at St Alban's Church of England in Armadale, Victoria and was attended by the then Minister for the Army, Malcolm Fraser.