Graham worked as an engineer at Sharp &amp; Sons Engineers, Camelon. Prior to the First World War, he married the daughter of one of the directors of Leicester Fosse. Graham enlisted in the Royal Navy and served on , before attending a torpedo school. In 1912, he was attached to and rose to become a chief petty officer. During the First World War, Graham saw action on the "Invincible" at the battles of the Falkland Islands and Jutland. He was killed in action during the latter engagement, when the "Invincible" was destroyed by a magazine explosion. Graham is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.