Rogers joined the 175th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1916 and served overseas as a Lieutenant with the 31st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force from 1916 to 1918. He was wounded twice (Passchendale and Last hundred days) and earned the Military Cross: "He made many daylight reconnaissances and brought back valuable information under heavy fire. During an attack on a village he led his company with gallantry and skill driving back the enemy outposts with heavy casualties, and the village was eventually captured. He was finally severely wounded by machine-gun fire. He set a very fine example to his men."