 His father, who came from Durham, was a land agent who worked for the Earl of Airlie for some years.Peter and his identical twin Clive, who later became a brigadier in the Royal Artillery, were educated at Wellington College; playing on the same team, they caused some confusion when bowling from either end for the First XI.Peter went on to Brasenose College, Oxford, where he studied in the department of forestry, and won Blues for both cricket and hockey.