Born in India 1929 into a military family of four children. His Father posted to Malta during 1932; as a consequence John had the privilege of experiencing childhood on such a wonderful Island. The family evacuated back to England in late 1937. In 1938 his father was invalided from the Army. During resettlement the family had four moves within 12 months resulting in an adverse effect on education. John however achieved a scholarship to Chipping Sodbury Grammar School in 1940. After a Radio engineering apprenticeship, his career was in the Radio and Television Industry, with senior managerial appointments in Rank Organisation, Granada, PYE and Philips. Following retirement 1989, he devoted his life to charitable fund raising projects. He formed two companies in organising celebrity/amateur golf events. First being Gemini Classics' in co-operation with a past business colleague Roger Dickinson and ex Ryder Cup player, Peter Dawson. Second company Celebrity Masters Tournaments' with entertainer, Jerry Stevens, as Joint Managing Director. John was on the first fund raising committee in1975 of the Prince's Trust. Appointed as President of the Radio and Television Industries Club in 1989 and is now honoured as a Companion. He is also honoured as a Companion of the renowned entertainer's organisation "Grand Order of Water Rats". Over the past four years he has co-written five songs, with singer/composer David Capri. He has two daughters Donna and Kay, from his first marriage.

The story ‘Mum is in Charge' is based on true events, covering the period 1939 to 1945, with some flashbacks to earlier years. It is related by youngest child of the family, with a host of interesting, exciting, challenging moments. There is a close encounter with death, the controversial friendship with an old lady ghost, sadness, hardships including school bullying, which developed into what all families need, a bonding as a single unit. The making of a few close friends, which grew into a happy camaraderie. The experiences of a young infatuation and romances. There are veiled secrets which are for the first time revealed after seven decades, and brings into play emotional heart searching. It is Mum who had the most common sense in the family and turned all types of situations into acceptable realities, resulting in Mum is in Charge'.