 Northcott was assigned to staff of the 6th Military District , the military district covering the state of Tasmania , where he was serving when the First World War broke out in August 1914 . His initial task was assisting with the raising of Australian Imperial Force ( AIF ) units in Tasmania . He joined the AIF as a lieutenant on 24 August 1914 and was appointed adjutant of the 12th Infantry Battalion , which was forming at Anglesea Barracks near Hobart . He was promoted to captain in the AIF on 18 October 1914 . 
