At age 20, from Dufftown, Scotland, Lofty (he was very tall) took up three years duties as apprentice clerk at Cape Dorset in 1913; moving to Coat's Island as clerk in 1916 to 1917. He spent some time on the west coast of Newfoundland in 1917 and made a tour of inspection of Labrador posts in 1917 and 1918. He was Post Manager at Coat's Island for one year 1918 to 1919; at Lake Harbour 1919 to 1922; and at Port Harrison 1922 to 1929. He spent various tours as manager at Chesterfield, Pangnirtung, Fort Chimo until 1943 when he took up District Office duties at Montreal.