For some time he followed the trail of Colonel Fawcett, and also worked as a cowboy in the Mato Grosso.

He was arrested by the Paraguayans on suspicion of being a Bolivian spy, but was freed after British consular authorities intervened.

[5] Sheffield moved to New Zealand in 1936, meeting his future wife, Ruby Norrie of Jersey, on the voyage over.

[7] In 1938 he was engaged on a three-year contract as the coach for the Wellington Cricket Association.

[8] At the same time he was engaged on a three-year contract as the coach of the Wellington Football Association.