He enlisted in St John's, Newfoundland, at the Church Lads' Brigade Armoury. He attested on the 15th of December 1914 and departed Newfoundland for overseas service on the 5th of February 1915.

He was wounded at the Battle of Gueudecourt having incurred shrapnel wounds to the lumbar area of his back and his spine. He was transferred initially to a Casualty Clearing station before they sent him back to England for recovery on October 20th 1916. He was admitted to the Royal Victorian Hospital on return to England and remained there for five months, with some progress in the rehabilitation of his paralysed right leg and partially paralysed left one. Unfortunately, as the feeling returned so did the pain and it was necessary to administer morphine.

By March, his general health was considered better and the wounds were healing so they decreased the morphine dosage and considered sending him home on the 19th of March. However, he was transferred to the 2nd Western General (Alexandra Park) Hospital in Stockport, a day later on the 20th March, and there he remained until December the 5th when he died from his wounds.