The prolific Rice, at first a Canadian artillery sergeant and later an American vaudevillian, was also co-creator with Sgt. Edward "Red" Rowland, of "Mademoiselle from Armentieres."

During the war he was the star of the Princess Pat's Light Infantry regimental concert party.

The chorus of "I Want to Go Home," variously adapted, was one of the most popular songs throughout the BEF, AIF, and AEF.