Meyer-Quade attended elementary and secondary school. In 1914 he served an agricultural apprenticeship in Dülmen. During the First World War, he joined Field Artillery Regiment No. 84 on 21 January 1915 and was deployed in August to Ypres. On 1 November, he transferred to the 99th Infantry Regiment with which he fought in Flanders, Verdun and the Somme. He was decorated for bravery, earning the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class. He was promoted to "Vizefeldwebel" on 13 September 1916 but fell into French captivity on 1 November. After several attempts to escape, he was released from prisoner-of-war camp in January 1920.