He studied at New College, Oxford and Grenoble and Heidelberg (he was member of Corps Saxoborussia), but since these studies did not appear to lead to anything, it was desirable to send him to the army. He showed more interest for the army than university and soon became a lieutenant in the Hessian Dragoon Regiment and on the staff of the Eighty-third Regiment of Infantry. During the First World War he fought in Vosges and later in the Battle of the Marne. He ultimately came to Moorslede, Belgium, where he died in action. He was unmarried.