His RN service number (F4179) indicates that he joined the RNAS from the start of his career. His initial training between April and June 1915 would likely have been at Crystal Palace, where ratings and officers joining the RNAS undertook their basic training.

At this time, HMS Riviera operated with the Dover Patrol. See this blog post recounting two incidents which he was involved in during this period, both regarding Short Admiralty 184 Type Tractor Biplane Seaplanes.

Whilst pursuing a Commission with the RNAS, he initially failed an eye test. He subsequently sought the opinion of an 'eminent eye specialist', L.V. Cargill, F.R.C.S. (Hon. Consultant for Eye cases to Military Hospitals in London and Senior Ophthalmic Surgeon, King's College, Hospital). It was suggested that he rest his eyes for a few weeks as he had been undertaking close-up work.

Passed out 1st on his course. Entitled to W/T skilled pay from 1 Jun 1917.

Travelled partway to Greece onboard the despatch ship and fleet messenger, HMS Isonzo, and caught up with HMS Ark Royal at Mudros on 8 Aug 1917. Was discharged from the ship to Stavros by M.28 (Monitor 28) on 13 Aug.

Visited the Akte Peninsula, Greece, between 24 and 29 Jun 1918 for a few days sightseeing with Lt. W R Glenney.

Requested to learn to fly on 25 Sep 1917, denied on 4 Oct, requested again on 7 Feb 1918, presumably denied once again as he remained an observer until 1921.

Awarded the MiD and DFC for his service in Stavros during WW1.

Took the paddle-steamer, S.S. Barryfield, to Salonika on 22 Nov 1918 and then continued across Italy  and France to reach England.

Observer/Adjutant, No. 5 Training Depot Station at Easton on the Hill in Northamptonshire, now RAF Wittering. (Admitted to Wothorpe Hospital on 2 Feb 1919 with bronchitis.)

Required to attend Buckingham Palace on 24 July 1919 to receive his D.F.C. See blog post.

Set off for India on 17 Nov 1919 on S.S. Huntsend. Disembarked at Bombay on 11 Dec 1919.

During this period, he would have earned his India General Service Medal together with the Mahsud 1919-20 and Waziristan 1919-21 clasps.

Course Report:
1st COURSE. Observer Officer C.N. Ellen 31st Squadron R.A.F.
"The work was quite new to him, but he understood the necessity of knowing how the other arms worked and worked really hard. His notes were especially good and he took great interest in the schemes, demonstrations etc."

Left Mhow, India, by train on 15 Sep 1920 and embarked for Bombay on 17 Sep.

Based at Head Quarters, Egyptian Group, Royal Air Force, Almaza, Cairo, Egypt. Almaza Air Base was known by the RAF as RAF Heliopolis. 45 Sqn. moved from Cairo to Iraq (RAF Hinaidi) on 21 Feb 1921.

Flew Vickers Vernons (usually J 6871) with No. 45 Squadron on the Cairo to Baghdad Airmail route which was established by the RAF in 1921. At least three forced landings made; 15 Apr 1922 and 22 Aug 1922 in J 6871, 20 Oct 1922 in J 6873. On 4 Sep 1922, whilst flying J 6871, both petrol pumps and gravity supply failed.

Stay in RAF British Hospital, Baghdad, beforehand. Left Baghdad, via Basrah, for the UK on 7 Feb 1923. Disembarked in the UK on 19 Mar 1923.

Passed 82.2%. Remarks by Commandant, "Will prove to be a reliable and conscientious Signals Officer".

Passed. Remarks by Officer Commanding, "Was very keen and carried out satisfactory R/T communication with ground and inter-machine".

In May and June 1925, he investigated the tragic death of Flight-Sergt. Frank Lowry O.B.E. who was in an aeroplane, engaged in wireless tests, when he was electrocuted. After re-examining the machine, he found four faults in the wireless apparatus and gave evidence at the inquest.

Leave taken between 28 Sep - 31 Oct 1925, during which he married Gladys Lily Gardner on 3 Oct at St James' Church, Muswell Hill, Middlesex.

No. 22 Group formed on 12 April 1926 at South Farnborough, on the disbandment of No. 7 Group, Andover. As a result, No. 13 (AC) Squadron moved over to No. 22 Group.

In charge of wireless training at the college. Wrote a book of lectures during 1927 to cover a two year wireless course for the Cadets whereby the syllabus was revised as a result. This was one reason, amongst several, why he did not achieve the requisite amount of flying time for 1927 and twice requested to be sent on a refresher course, both in 1928 and 1930.

Aeroplanes flown on the course: Avro 504N, DH9A, Atlas, DH Moth. Flying times: Dual 9.30 hours, Solo 17.10 hours. Course report remarks on flying, "This officer has shown maked [sic] keeness [sic] on his course; he has regained his full confidence and has developed into an average pilot on the two seater type. With added experience he should be really good".

Required to vacate Junior Officers' Married Quarter No. 5 at the end of his posting on 20 March 1931.

'B' Flight located at Leuchars, 22 May 1931 - 4 Aug 1931, for air co-operation annual training with Scottish Command. Flew Atlas machines.

Departed Liverpool on 26 May 1932 on the S.S. "Elysia". Travelled 1st Class and arrived at Bombay on 19 June. Then took a train that evening, arriving at Peshawar on 21 June. In order to join him, his wife and young daughter embarked from Southampton on 3 October 1932 on HM Troopship "Somersetshire", bound for Karachi. Their deferment was due to families not being allowed to travel during the hot season.

Took over command of RAF Station Peshawar on 8 June 1933 before handing back to Sqn. Ldr. Hollinghurst, (as he was then, later Air Chief Marshal) on 3 Sep. It would be during some of this period he would have earned the Mohmand 1933 clasp on his India General Service Medal.

Officer Commanding the Annual Flight through Mekran in Nov 1934 to inspect and photograph various landing grounds and to demonstrate aerial co-operation with a number of Mekran Levy Corps Posts. Carried as passenger, the Agent to the Governor General & Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan, The Honourable Mr. B J Gould, C.M.G., C.I.E, I.C.S.

On Leave between 15 Dec 1934 and 28 Feb 1935.

Survived, together with his wife and child, the enormous earthquake which occurred on 31 May 1935 at Quetta, Balochistan, British India (now part of Pakistan). This article documents the episode.

Flown from Quetta to RAF Drigh Road, Karachi, on 20 Jun 1935. Sailed from Bombay with his family on 20 July 1935 on the S.S. Narkunda and arrived at Tilbury, London, on 9th August.

Attended the 21st Anniversary Dinner for No. 13 (AC) Squadron on 7 Feb 1936 at the RAF Club.

Training Command was the RAF's command responsible for flying and ground training from 1936 to 1940 and again from 1968 to 1977. From 27 May 1940 to 1 June 1968, Training Command's functions were split into Flying Training Command and Technical Training Command.

Started and organised this school to hold 4000 trainees, with a weekly turnover of 300.

President of the Court of Inquiry, in 1941, on Consolidated Liberator Mk.I AM915 (British Overseas Airways Corporation) which flew into Arinarach Hill near Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland, killing ten crew and passengers.

Nominated for a C.B.E. both in the New Year and Birthday Honours Lists for 1942. (10th on the lists submitted.)

No. 1 Radio School had a number of name changes from The Electrical & Wireless School, to No. 1 Signals School, until finally becoming known as No. 1 Radio School in 1943, when all radio and signal schools were called radio schools.

The commands of No. 1 Signals and No. 7 Radio Schools were at schools already running but at which difficulties had occurred, and it was his task to correct. At these three schools (including No. 3 E & W School) tens of thousands of technical trainees, men and women, passed through his hands. Awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by Technical Training Command on 24 Feb 1944.

Nominated for a C.B.E. in the 1943 Birthday Honours Lists. (8th on the submitted list.)

Invited to open the Calne and District "Wings for Victory" Week in June 1943 and took the salute, even though he had moved on from Compton Bassett some time before.

Nominated once more for a C.B.E. in the 1944 New Year Honours List. (9th on the submitted list. In the event, he never received an honour from the King.)

Arriving in Detmold, Germany, on 28th June 1945, he took charge of the Signals aspects of disarmament under the overall direction of then A/Cdre Hart (later to become Air Marshal Sir Raymund George Hart).

Completed his Signals task in Feb 1946 and was transferred to assist the Deputy Chief of Air Division in Berlin on all matters until retirement.

Placed on the retirement list in order to meet the contraction in the strength of the RAF and to make way for younger officers.

British Resident, Landkreis Warburg, Westphalia.

He worked for three years in this isolated post as British Representative, acting also as Honorary Game Warden and Remand Magistrate.

Was employed with the Control Commission for Germany (British Element) from 30 Sep 1946 to 13 Apr 1950 when he left due to an overall reduction in the strength of the Commission.