during world war i, he was a brevet colonel and brigadier-general in command of artillery, 1st canadian division from 1914 to 1915. he was promoted to major-general and was general officer commanding (goc) of the royal canadian artillery from 1915 to 1916. from 1916 to 1918, he was goc 2nd canadian division. after the war, he was quartermaster-general at department of national defence from 1919 to 1920. from 1920 to 1925. he was the inspector-general. he retired in 1925, settling in england. he died in 1945 in headbourne worthy, hampshire, england. he is buried in the churchyard of st swithun's headbourne worthy.