Enlisted at Brisbane 01/03/1915 age 33 years. His address on enlistment was “Gladysvale”, Gayndah. His next of kin (NOK), Brother, Mr. Lionel Frederick Fortescue, Gayndah. On enlistment he was 5ft 6, weighed 145 Lbs and stated his occupation as a Grazier.

He enlisted as a Private and rose through the ranks to Lieutenant. He was Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) as a Sergeant for “Consistent devotion to duty when on Ambulance work at Thistle Dump during the Month of November 1916. This Non-Commissioned Officers work in improving the track for Sledges, and removing the wounded under heavy shell fire is beyond praise, by his conduct he set an example to those under him”.

On the 01/01/1918 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) as a Sergeant for “Consistent devotion to duty. This N.C.O.s work is of the highest order and his example set to his men when under shell fire is worthy of recommendation”. On the 07/06/1919 he married Mabel Lillian Bollis in England. He was discharged on the 07/11/1919. Also served in World War II.