Born an brocht up in Aiberdeenshire, he stairtit wirkin as a jurnalist fur the Aberdeen Journal an the Scottish Farmer at the age o 16. In 1920 he listit wi the Ryal Air Force, wirkin as a clerk an spendin some time in the Middle Aest. In 1928 he quat the RAF an stairtit tae write fou-time. He wrat monie beuks an shorter warks baith unner his rael name an his nom de plume afore his airlie daith in 1935.