 During World War I he served in the War Office, first as Sub-Director of Military Operations, then as Deputy Director of Military Intelligence and Director of Special Intelligence with the rank of Brigadier-General.He received many honours for his wartime work, including being made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (military division) in 1916.At the 1918 general election he was elected unopposed as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Reigate division of Surrey, having stood as a Coalition Conservative.