 During World War II, he commanded 3 Wing in North Africa (1942-1943), and in 1945 he commanded 4 Group, which was responsible for transporting South African servicemen back home from Italy.He was CO of AFB Waterkloof from 1949 to 1951.He served as Quartermaster-General from 1 December 1953 to 31 October 1959, Air Chief of Staff (1 May 1965 to 30 June 1966) as Chief of the Air Force from 1 July 1966 to 30 November 1967, and as Chief of Defence Staff from 1 December 1967 to 31 December 1968.