In 1915, Stoker took a commission in the Royal Army Service Corps and endeavored to keep Hui-lan at a distance, retreating to a separate bedroom when at home and rebuffing her desire to join him in Devonport, where he was posted: "It is quite ridiculous for you to come down here as you could not stick it for more than two or three days.
Pada 1915, Stoker ditugaskan ke Royal Army Service Corps dan berusaha untuk menjaga jarak dengan Hui-lan, memutuskan pisah ranjang saat di rumah dan menolak keinginannya untuk ikut dengannya ke Devonport, dimana ia menulis: "Sangat lucu bagimu untuk datang kesini karena kau tak dapat bertahan lebih dari dua atau tiga hari.