sentences:  He served with the Royal Air Force during World War II where he rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.He played wartime football for West Ham United, making seven appearances in the Football League South between 1943 and 1945 (including a return of five goal in five games in the 1945–46 season).He signed professional forms with the east London club in 1946, making his official debut on 7 September 1946 in a 0–2 home defeat against Leicester City.