His PhD was on the structure, stratigraphy and economic geology of the Bristol and Somerset Coalfields.
He realised early on the value of the fossil floral and faunal evidence and using these made significant proposals relating to the regional correlation of the Coal Measures.
He developed research interests in areas of palaeobotany that were subsequently to provide a major impetus to the emerging science of palynology.
He noted that miospores recovered from the maceration of numerous Coal Measure fructifications displayed a wide range of morphological variations.
Towards the end of his time at Sheffield University he concentrated on micropalaeobiology and the search for evidence of fungal and bacterial attack on organic matter in sedimentary rocks.
He also published on the presence of fungal and bacterial structures in the Precambrian Nonesuch Shale.
With the progressive loss of mobility over the years, he decided to move to Birmingham to be closer to his son.