Returning to England in 1952 on the death of his father he was educated at Dartington College of Arts where he learned the organ under John Wellingham.
He built a small award-winning organ as his Meisterstuck in the workshop of Patrick Collon in Brussels.
William Drake Ltd has built new organs and restored instruments in a number of countries, including New Zealand and the United States.
Organs built by Drake's company are mechanical action instruments and restorations adhere to high standards of historical accuracy.
Today the business continues under the direction of Geert Noppers and Joost de Boer, who have been members of the staff for many years.