 He was allotted service number NX57823 and served with the 2/9th Army Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, becoming a Warrant Officer Class 2.However, his knowledge of the Solomon Islands meant he was of value elsewhere, and in 1942 he was recruited to serve in the Coast Watch Organisation.He was discharged from the AIF on 9 October 1942, and two days later commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR).