At time of enlistment was married with 5 children.

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Tried by Field General Court Martial, Heliopolis, on charges of (1) drunkenness (2) conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline (3) neglecting to obey Standing Orders. Pleaded guilty to (1), Not Guilty to (2) and (3). Found guilty of (1), Not Guilty of (2) and (3): awarded 168 hours detention; sentence confirmed but commuted to 168 hours' detention, 14 February 1916. Forfeited total of 42 days' pay.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 29 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 5 April 1916.

Admitted to 8th Australian Field Ambulance, 20 November 1916 (lumbago); transferred to New Zealand Stationary Hospital, Amiens, 21 November 1916; to Ambulance Train No 17, 23 November 1916; to 11th General Hospital, Camiers, 24 November 1916; discharged to Base Details, 10 December 1916.

Proceeded to 1st Anzac PB Hadquarters, 30 December 1916.

Found guilty, 14 January 1917, of reporting sick without cause when warned for Escort duty, 13 January 1917: awarded 28 days' Field Punishment No 1. To detention, 16 January 1917; rejoined unit, 11 August 1917.

Wounded in action, Belgium, 19-20 September 1917 (gun shot wound, left arm); admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, 20 September 1917; transferred to 17th Casualty Clearing Station, 20 September 1917; to 83rd General Hospital, Boulogne, 21 September 1917; to England, 24 September 1917, and admitted same day to Manor House Hospital, Folkestone; to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 16 October 1917; discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 19 October 1917.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Persic', 21 December 1917; disembarked Melbourne, 12 February 1918; discharged, 27 February 1918 (medically unfit: lumbago and overage).