In August 1942 he received an emergency commission into The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) and immediately transferred to the Glider Pilot Regiment. By 1944 he was serving as Section Commander, F Squadron ( No. 2 Wing), The Glider Pilot Regiment, part of the Airborne Forces at Arnhem. By the time of his retirement, as an Hon. Captain on 25 November 1953, he had transferred back to The Black Watch.