 A considerable sportsman in his own right, he obtained a Cambridge Blue for athletics in 1923, captained Bedfordshire County Cricket Club in 1932, and played on the wing for Bedford and Rosslyn Park rugby clubs.He was a schoolmaster at Bedford School from 1924 to 1941, before joining the BBC.He was originally a billeting officer, but it was soon realised that his voice - a clear, light baritone - was too good for him to remain in an administrative role.