 Sport remained a major part of his life; until his death he remained a member Houghton-le-Spring Rugby Club and of Burnmoor Cricket Club, last playing both games at the age of 63.After training as a teacher at Bede College, Durham University, he was not called up for military service during World War II, because teaching was a reserved occupation.After the war he improved his qualifications by taking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Loughborough College in 1947.