He intended to engage in the tea trade, studied Chinese, and from 1869 to 1871, in the character of student interpreter, he traveled in Mongolia, and afterwards he served in British consulates at Wenchow, Fusan, and Shanghai, and traveled in Oceania, Eastern Asia, and North America.
On 26 May, they undertook the RAAF's most northerly operation during the Pacific War, against Wenchow.