Have you found his service papers? You are lucky, they are online. He signed up on 21st April 1909 and served 7 years. Discharged 21st April 1916
Coal Miner, 22 Ladbroke Street, Amble, at discharge. Tattoos: 'Queen Alexandra' right arm, and 'Hands across the Sea' left arm
He was attached to the
175th Tunnelling Company in December 1915 and stayed with them until he returned to his own unit for discharge.
I bet the army was not too pleased to lose him.