Alan trained for two years in the Wesley College Cadets, with the rank of Sergeant. He enlisted in the A.I.F. on 20th December, 1941 and was discharged on 25th January, 1946. Being discharged was recalled as one of his greatest moments - the continual drilling and training was monotonous. However, he had the opportunity of studying while enlisted and in 1943 Alan matriculated from the Faculty of Arts, University of W.A. He was selected to do a crash course on Japanese at Duntroon. Later he served in various New South Wales regiments. In June 1945, Alan was marched in to Queensland for the 6th Australian Division Reception Camp. On 17th October, 1945 he embarked at Brisbane for Wewak, New Guinea. On his return to Western Australia, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a disease he overcame after years of hospitalisation.