Enlisted 1 July 1916 in Rarotonga and entered Narrow Neck Military Training Camp in Auckland New Zealand on 9 July 1916. Embarked for Egypt 16 November 1916 and arrived in Suez 27 December 1916. Posted to New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde. and Training Regiment and Base Depot at Moascar.

Promoted to Sergeant 4 April 1917, posted to the Rarotongan Company 7 April 1917 and was detached to 97th Heavy Battery Royal Artillery 11 October 1917 to 9 November 1917 for the 3rd battle for Gaza. After Gaza he was employed in the running of various ammunition dumps and supply of ammunition to British artillery units.

He was also used for formal language interpretation when statements were required from non-English speaking Cook Islanders.

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on 15 February 1918. The DCM was presented to him in Rarotonga in 14 March 1921. His DCM citations reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in command of a platoon. He did excellent work throughout and set his men a splendid example".

Admitted at various hospitals at Kantara, Abbassia and Heliopolis from 1 to 18 October 1918. Discharged to duty 18 October 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on the SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919.

He also served in the Cook Islands Local Defence Force during WWII and was prominent in the Cook Islands RSA.