Entered the civil service in the post office in 1906. Briefly outposted before joining the secretary office. After the outbreak of the WW1 Hurcomb was transferred to the Admiralty and then, in 1916, to the newly formed Ministry of Shipping becoming deputy director and, later, director of commercial services. In 1919 he joined the new Ministry of Transport and helped organise the grouping. He was appointed permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport in 1927. In 1937 he joined the electrical commission but after the war joined the British Transport commission and served as chairmn from 1947 to 1953. Created Baron in 1950 but this became extinct on his death.