 From 1925 he was a midshipman on , serving during the world tour of the Duke and Dutchess of York in 1926 - 27.In 1930 he was a sub lieutenant on serving on the China Station; at the end of the year he was promoted to lieutenant, and posted to HMS "Malaya" in the Home Fleet.In 1933, Courtney studied Russian in Bessarabia and in 1934 qualified as an interpreter.