Granville Napier initially joined the Artillery branch of the Territorials, being under age to leave with the Expeditionary Force. He was posted to Fort Cautley, Auckland, and in the meantime read law in his father s office. On reaching the age of twenty, he entered Featherston Camp and left as a bombardier with the 24th Reinforcements, N.Z.F.A. He served in Flanders throughout the remainder of the war, and after the signing of the armistice went with his unit to Cologne, where he remained with the Army of Occupation for two months. He returned to England in March, 1919, and entered Lincolns Inn as a law student while waiting for his ship to return home. Unfortunately this was not to be, as he became the victim of an unfortunate accident which deprived him of his life." (ref: In Memoriam, 1914-1918 [Wanganui Collegiate School])