 During World War II he served in North Africa, and commanded the artillery of the South African 6th Armoured Division in Italy.He served as Army Chief of Staff from 1958 to 1959, as Inspector-General from 1959 to 1960, as Director of Planning and Operations from 1960 to 1965, and as General Officer Commanding Joint Combat Forces (GOCJCF), co-ordinating Army and Air Force operations and training, from 1965 to 1967.As GOCJCF, he was the third-highest-ranking officer in the South African Defence Force's Supreme Command.