İsmail was born in the Pelitköy village of Burhaniye. İsmail was his real name. He joined the army at the age of 20 and after 1 year of service, following the outbreak of WW1, is sent to the Suez front. Together with his unit, the 28'th Tumen, he fought against English and Arabs in the desert. Many of his brothers in arms fall casualty and his unit returns to Çanakkale afterwards. He is chosen as one of the exceptional men of the 28'th Tumen to become a Bugle player and is promoted to the rank of Onbaşı. He had learned to play the bugle during battles in Çanakkale. He soon became known as "Borazan" (Bugle).