Den went to Oreston Primary and Plymstock School and finished his formal education at the age of fifteen and began an apprenticeship at Turnbulls garage.  

Growing up, Den was known for his ability to unintentionally ‘put his foot in it’, and this continued right through his life.  Ron recalls an occasion when he and his brother were playing snooker and one of the women there had recently returned from having a baby. Den took one look at her and asked whether she was pregnant again! Ron and Den’s friend Paul always took the mickey out of him for his innocence and for not having a clue when he said something wrong.