Directed to train at Narrow Neck Camp because he was of mixed race. His platoon did not embark with the main 4th Māori Reinforcements but embarked some days later on 26 June 1916 from Wellington with the 2nd Tunnellers Reinforcements. Disembarked at Plymouth, United Kingdom 22 August 1916. He left for France on 28 August 1916 and joined the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion on 16 September 1916. Became ill and was admitted to a number of hospitals in France and United Kingdom with trench fever. He was posted to New Zealand Engineer Reserve Depot in United Kingdom on discharge from hospital on 4 April 1918 and was transferred to Rarotongan Company. Left for France 7 May 1918 and spent some days at 8th Rest Camp, Marseille, waiting for passage to Egypt. He embarked for Egypt on SS Canberra 5 June 1918 and arrived at Alexandria 14 June 1918 and was posted to the Rarotongan Company 1 July 1918 and was admitted to hospital 21 July 1918. He died of mastoid (ear infection) on 26 July 1918 at 33rd Clearing Hospital Jaffa.