He was born in Paddington, Sydney, and grew up in Concord, the only child of John and Jean West.
He was brought up by his mother and developed an early interest in theatre, which was encouraged by his grandmother, Mary Bell.
[1] He joined the ABC as an announcer in 1942 before enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force, serving with RAAF Radio "The Voice of the Islands" from 1942 to 1945.
[2] He returned to the ABC as an ordinary announcer, pursuing his theatrical interests at every opportunity in his off-duty time until 1964 when he was able to combine his profession and passion in the weekly programme "The Showman".
[1] He had been diagnosed with a brain tumor but died in a nursing home at Collaroy following a heart attack.