John became interested in mathematics at a very early age and his mother Agnes recalled that he could recite the powers of two when aged four years. John's young years were difficult for he grew up in Britain at a time of wartime shortages.
John ay naging interesado sa matematika at isang maagang edad at kanyang ina Agnes alaala na siya ay maaaring bigkasin ang mga kapangyarihan ng dalawang kapag may edad na apat na taon. John's young years ay mahirap para sa kanyang lumago sa Britain sa isang oras ng panahon ng digmaan shortages.