Bill Smyly was born in Peking and was educated at Wrekin College and joined the Army straight from school.

Bill Smyly took part in two of the Chindits[5][6] operations behind enemy lines in Burma.

After a stint in the UK he moved to Hong Kong working at the South China Morning Post.

Then he took up Education, working at the Diocesan Boys' School, and eventually at the Chinese university in Hong Kong.

After taking a post graduate degree at Leeds University he joined the British Council