John was born in Slough (then in Buckinghamshire) in September 1930. 

He completed National Service in the RAF as a Ground Wireless Mechanic and trained as a Communications Engineer at Regent Street Polytechnic. 

He went on to be part of the team developing the Electronic Telephone Exchange System for the British Post Office (which became British Telecom) whilst working for GECPLESSEY.

John's main hobby, other than HRB, is playing bowls both indoors and outdoors for the West Moors Memorial Bowls Club and the Dolphin Indoor Bowls Club.