 At the age of nineteen he became pipe major of a band near Falkirk, which would provide valuable experience about the qualities required to lead a pipe band.At the outbreak of World War II he joined the Highland Light Infantry, and became the youngest pipe major in the British Army at the age of 20 after passing the course at Edinburgh Castle under the tuition of Willie Ross.In 1947 he joined the Edinburgh City Police and in 1949 took over as pipe major of the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band, and then led the band to victory in the World Pipe Band Championships in 1950.