Employed in New Zealand prior to enlistment on 1 August 1916 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Embarked on HMNZT No.69 Tahiti at Wellington 15 November 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, United Kingdom 29 January 1917. Joined New Zealand Pioneer Battalion in France 25 May 1917 and was transferred to the Rarotongan Company 14 January 1918. He embarked at Marseille 21 January 1918 to disembark at Alexandra 4 February 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 5 March 1918. Returned with Rarotongan Company on SS Malta. On his return to New Zealand difficulty was found in obtaining a passage to Norfolk Island due to Sydney port being closed as a result of the influenza epidemic. As a result he was not discharged but on 26 March 1919 was sent to Trentham Camp for employment until passage was found. On 28 April 1919 he applied for discharge in New Zealand and this was approved 9 May 1919.