Born on March 21st, 1912, in London, he was the fourth son of Sir William James Bull, a Member of Parliament, and Lillian Heather Brandon. His educational journey commenced at Winchester College, where he later transitioned into journalism before pursuing his passion for the stage under the tutelage of Elsie Fogerty.
Making his stage debut at London's Shaftsbury Theatre on June 15th, 1933, in As You Like It, he embarked on a remarkable acting career. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he joined the navy as an ordinary seaman in 1941. Rising through the ranks, he eventually became a commander of a landing craft in the Mediterranean, earning the prestigious Distinguished Service Cross and the promotion of Lt. Commander.
After leaving the service in 1948, he returned to his acting roots, appearing on stage and in films. In between his acting endeavors, he leveraged his journalism experience to author a series of books, including "To Sea in a Sieve" (1956),"Bulls in the Meadow" (1957),"I Know the Face But..." (1959),"Not on Your Telly" (1961),and "I Say Look Here" (1965).
Additionally, he operated a small shop in Notting Hill Gate, London, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout his life, he remained a multifaceted individual, exceling in various fields, from the stage to the navy, and even entrepreneurship.