He was vicar of Shiplake from 1913 to 1925. During World War I he was a Royal Navy chaplain.[6] He became a temporary chaplain in July 1916, and served on HMS St. Vincent. He was recognised as an officer of exceptional ability,a 'very fine example of all that a Chaplain should or could be'[7]
In 1926 he went to Empangeni in the Diocese of Zululand as a missionary priest. He was the bishop of Zululand from 1930 to 1935. While he was bishop of Zululand he married Elizabeth Hills.[8] He was translated to the Diocese of St Helena and was bishop there from 1935 to 1939.[9]