 He trained his new command hard and quickly earned the nickname of "February" due to his habit of issuing 28-day detentions for any breaches in discipline.After completing rudimentary training, the battalion embarked for England in May 1940 as part of the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd New Zealand Division.Sailing on the transport "Empress of Britain", they made port calls at Perth, in Australia, Cape Town, and Freetown before arriving at Gourock, in Scotland, in June.