In the Valiant he took part in the Norwegian Campaign in April and May 1940 and then in the attack on the French Fleet at Mers-el-Kébir in July 1940. He transferred to the destroyer in October 1941 and then to the destroyer in January 1942. During a long period of service in the Ashanti he took part in the Arctic Convoys, and having been promoted to lieutenant on 1 July 1942, he took part in Operation Pedestal to relieve Malta in August 1942 and then the allied landings in North Africa in November 1942 before returning to the Arctic Convoys again and finally taking part in the allied landings in Normandy in June 1944. He served with distinction being mentioned in despatches three times and being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1942 for saving the lives of many fellow servicemen when the destroyer was hit by a torpedo.