John was born and bred in Exning where he attended the village school followed by Newmarket Grammar School.

During his youth, he was a keen sportsman representing Suffolk at the All England schools athletics championships. He also played cricket at Exning and Rugby for the then newly formed Newmarket club.

He served for nearly 24 years primarily as a navigator on C1 30 Hercules aircraft but several other roles.

His final tour in the RAF was as a staff officer in the Ministry of Defence.

He then worked for the Civil Aviation Authority in Central London.

After his retirement from the CAA, he returned to Newmarket in 2005 and has served on the committee of several retired military associations.

His main interest are in sports and campanology. He lives with his wife Jill in Cheveley.