Commissioned in the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1958 and served a total of 37 years including three tours (14 years) in airborne forces and active service in five theatres of war. Appointed British representative on Commission for Formation of Armed Forces in Angola and then retired in 1992 and trained as carpenter and joiner. He was appointed as governor with responsibility for premises at Rowdeford School in 1996; Created Rowdeford Charity Trust in 2001; and received the award of the High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 2008 for services to the local community. He was awarded the MBE that year for services to special educational needs.

Now, having retired as a governor of the School, he remains honorary President of the Charity and also of the hugely successful Rowdeford Garden Fair.