 He became naval attaché to Russia in 1905, commanding officer of the cruiser HMS "Essex" in 1909 and Captain of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in 1912.He served in World War I as commanding officer of the battleship HMS "Erin" from 1914 to 1917.He became naval attaché in the British delegation to Washington D. C. in 1918, Second-in-Command of the 1st Battle Squadron in 1919 and Vice Admiral Commanding the Reserve Fleet in 1924.