Fawcett returned to Britain and served on the Western Front during the war. In 1920 Fawcett undertook a personal expedition to find the city but withdrew after suffering from fever and having to shoot his pack animal.
Fawcett resumed his duties in Britain and took part in military operations on the Western Front during the war. In 1920, he initiated a personal search for the city but had to halt his expedition because of health issues and the necessity to humanely put down his exhausted pack animal.