John enlisted into the Medical Staff Corps on 10th June 1898. He was 25 years and 3 months old, and was a Clerk by trade. He served in South Africa from 26th June 1900 to 9th February 1905, during which time he was promoted to the rank of Corporal on 28th November 1900. For his service there he was awarded both the Queen's and the King's South African medals, with clasps. He entered the war in France on 18th August 1914, as part of the Regimental Medical Officer's team for the 23rd Brigade. Royal Field Artillery. On 15th March 1915 he gained further promotion to the rank of Serjeant. He transferred to serve with No 8 Field Ambulance on 1st May 1915, remaining with the unit until the end of the war. After the war he volunteered to serve with the Army of Occupation in Germany and proceeded to No 13 Base Depot, Medical Stores in Cologne on 22 May 1919. On 26th November 1919 he transferred to No 2 A.D.S. Stores, then transferred again to the Office of the D.M.S., Rhine Army on 2nd December 1919. He returned to the U.K. on 8th May 1920.