Jack is the sixth child of eight and is closest to his younger sister, Elizabeth. He is a bit serious, but he always loves a good joke.

He has brown hair that he wears smoothed out and always very neat. He dresses nicely but does not like things too formal. His favorite outfit is a pair of light slacks, a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, a knit vest and no tie.

He and Harry enjoy taking walks in the open air. If they pass an apple orchard, they cannot resist the temptation to eat a few.

In October 1939, Jack volunteers with the RAF (Royal Air Force) and is trained as a Spitfire pilot. He spends the first part of the year patrolling the Kent coast. The squadron provides air cover for the evacuation of Dunkirk, after which they become heavily involved in the Battle of Britain.

While in training, he meets Harry Leigh. They soon become great friends. Much to their delight, they are assigned to the same squadron, where they remain until the end of the war.