James College in Sydney before working as a clerk at the School of Arts library.
On 22 February 1913, he married Mary Agnes Britnall Hossack, with whom he would have a son.
He continued to work as a clerk in various positions, and served on Randwick Council from 1917 to 1931 (mayor 1927–28).
In 1928 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the Nationalist member for Coogee; he was appointed Minister for Labour and Industry in 1932.
In that year, he also served on the council of the National Roads and Motorists Association and he held many sporting positions, including chairman of the Royal Life Saving Association and vice-president of the New South Wales Rugby Union.