 At the end of 1917 he became Assistant Director and Manager for the Ministry of Shipping in the United States and Canada; the next year, he was promoted to be Chief Technical Adviser and Director in the same office.He returned to Britain in 1921 when the Ministry was abolished.In November 1923 he married Maisie Dreicer, widow of Michael Dreicer, at St Columba's Church, Pont Street.