Born to Canadian parents near Chicago, Illinois, the family returned to Canada when he was a child. He became a teacher and was living in Newton, Manitoba when he enlisted at Winnipeg on 1916-05-23. He completed the necessary courses to qualify as a Lieutenant in 1914. Little enlisted in the RNAS in Canada, but changed his mind and transferred to the RFC before he left the country. After serving with 20 Squadron, Little was reassigned to 48 Squadron on 1918-01-31. Flying the Bristol Fighter, he and his observers scored 5 victories.