Tuhia tētahi tohutoro mō tēnei wāhanga - I kuraina a William ki te Whare Wānanga o George Watson, ā, i uru atu ki te Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, ā, i whakawhiwhia ki te tūranga tuarua ki roto i te Royal Artillery o te British Army i te marama o Hānuere 1913. I mahi ia i te Pakanga Tuatahi o te Ao, i toa i te Tohu Ratonga Tohu (DSO) i te Pakanga o Le Cateau
i te tau 1914, ā, i muri mai ko te Karauna o te Rōpū, ā, e whā ngā wā i whakahuahia ai ia i roto i ngā karere i te wā o te pakanga.