 He briefly attended the Central School of Speech and Drama, before appearing in "White Cargo" at the Brixton Theatre in 1936.Noted for his skill in light comedy, Latimer made his West End debut in "Pride and Prejudice" in 1937.After being called up in 1940, he was commissioned to the 34th Light AA Regiment and saw active service in the Middle East and India between 1941 and 1945.