as war approached, in 1939, he joined the royal naval volunteer reserve. in 1940 he was a in a destroyer as a lieutenant. after joining coastal forces he rose to lieutenant-commander and commanded a flotilla of motor gun boats in the channel. he was awarded the distinguished service cross with bar and an mbe (military division). in 1944 he was a staff officer and in march 1945 he was appointed captain of the brand new frigate hms 'cardigan bay'.