Born in 1924. John was educated at Plymouth College. He served in the Royal Navy's Coastal Forces during the second world war and from 1946 spent 28 years working as a Chartered Accountant. In 1974 he began his training for the ordained ministry of the Church of England and served initially as a curate in Prestbury in the Chester diocese. From 1980 to 1987 he was Vicar of Ashton Hayes near Chester. In retirement in East Devon he has assisted at local churches. He has been a school governor and treasurer of a local Abbeyfield Society. He enjoys sailing and walking.