 He served in the First World War, transferring to the 2nd Gurkha Rifles in the British Indian Army in 1914, and was commissioned a second lieutenant on 10 October.He served as an acting captain from 14 March to 12 April 1916, and was promoted to lieutenant on 17 August 1917 (back-dated to 1 September 1915).Promoted to captain on 14 January 1918, he took part in the Kuki Punitive expedition that year and, after the war, in the North West Persia operations between 1920 and 1921.