On the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 he took the regiment to Egypt and then Aden, where he commanded the 28th Indian Brigade with the temporary rank of brigadier-general. He was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1915 and was promoted brevet colonel in December 1916. In 1916 the brigade moved to Mesopotamia. He was severely wounded in the thigh in July 1916 and mentioned in despatches four times.