He was born at Tenterfield to Ernest Christian Sommerlad, also a politician.
During World War II he was an instructor of the Light Anti Aircraft School in Dutch New Guinea, holding the rank of captain.
On 6 February 1943 he married Mavis Dorothy Patterson, with whom he had three children.
On his return he was secretary of the New South Wales Country Press Association, and directed a number of commercial broadcasting companies.
From 1955 to 1967 he was a Country Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.