Educated in Bo'ness and Bathgate, he elected to learn a trade instead of taking up an Army career like his father. He joined the Uphall Volunteers as a lieutenant. His commission was signed by Queen Victoria and also holds King Edward 7th decoration. He was a Freemason in Lodge 13 and was a staunch unionist. He was a prominent builder and built a row of cottages in Station St, Uphall of which "Millbank Cottage" is one. He left Uphall in 1918 to "meet with fortunes smile" only to return several years later.