Educated at Wesley College, University of Melbourne and RMIT, John spent the whole of his working life engaged in property, first as a valuer and development consultant. His love of the sea saw John sailing at an early age culminating in cruising Queensland waters particularly. A rower at school and university, he was drawn back to the sport in his fifties winning multiple state, Australian championships and World Masters events. In retirement he took up writing naval history, employing his drawing and drafting skills to illustrate what has become a feature of his books.