Was a regular serviceman prior to serving with the Navy.

Served with the Royal New Zealand Navy 1953-57. Served in HMNZS Royalist 1957.

"Shortly after Petersen [Major H.W.R. Petersen] assumed duty [September 1957], the cruiser HMNZS Royalist arrived in Korean waters as part of a Commonwealth Naval Squadron and was attached to the UN Command for a week. During this time New Zealand's last casualty in Korea occurred, when Telegraphist P.J. Mollinson fell ill and died on 29 October 1957." McGibbon 1996, vol. 2, p. 359.

Formerly buried at the United Nations Cemetery, Pusan, Korea. Returned to New Zealand as part of the Te Auraki Repatriation Project in 2018. AWMM