Education
Clare College.
Clare College.
Educated at Charterhouse and Clare College, University of Cambridge. Commissioned into the Cupar Section of the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry which was part of the Territorial Army and by 1935 he was a Captain. Mobilized to serve in World World War II, he saw action with his Regiment in Belgium and France in 1940 as part of the BEF. He commanded his regiment during the retreat to Dunkirk, after the commanding officer had been killed.
He was wounded in action in France, 1940 and awarded the Defence Science Organisation the same year.
He was transferred to Special Operations Executive (SOE) in 1941, where he stayed for two years before taking a post as General Staff Officer from 1943-1944. He was awarded Territorial Decoration, 1943 and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
With his first command being the Royal Armoured Corps Officer Cadet Training Unit at the Royal Military College Sandhurst, 1944-1945. He returned to his Regiment the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry after the war and eventually commanded it as until 1948 as a Territorial Army officer while he began his business career.
He started his business career with the long-established family firm of James Prain & Sons, jute manufacturers in Dundee.
He spent much time working in a voluntary capacity assisting with business arbitration courts and the promotion of British industry He worked for the following companies: Member, Jute Working Party, 1946–1948 Member, Scottish Committee, Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation, 1946–1955 Vice Chairman, Caird (Dundee) Limited, 1956–1964 Director, Tayside Floorcloth Company Limited, 1946–1969 Director, Alliance Trust Company Limited, 1946–1973 Chairman, Jute Importers Association, 1947–1949 Director, The Scottish Life Assurance Company Limited, 1949–1972 Chairman, Association of Jute Spinners and Manufacturers, 1950–1952 Participant-time Member, Scottish Gas Board, 1952–1956 Director, Royal Bank of Scotland, 1955–1971 Member, Employers" Panel, Industrial Court, 1959–1971 Member, Industrial Arbitration Board, 1971–1972 Chairman, Dundee District Committee, Scottish Board for Industry, 1948–1962 Member, Employers" Panel, Industrial Disputes Tribunal, 1952–1959.