Born in Carrickfergus, Ireland, and educated at Sedbergh School, he received a Bachelor of Arts in geology from the University of Cambridge.
During World War II, he fought in the Middle East and Europe with the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
In 1981, he became Assistant Deputy Minister of Science and Technology for Energy, Mines and Resources Canada.
[citation needed] He was the author of over 100 publications and maps in the fields of palaeontology, biostratigraphy and regional geology.
[citation needed] In 1942, he married Phyllis Matkin, with whom he had three children: Ian, Patrick, and Alison.