Born in Hillier, ON, Ken joined the RCN in 1951 and graduated from H.M.C.S. Cornwallis P&RT School in 1955. He was stationed there in 1956, left the CAF, then re-entered in 1957 in the P&RT Branch and served at HMCS Shearwater 1957 to 1959. He then remustered to the Clearance Divers Branch. He was a member of the 1957 Shearwater Flyers Football team, (Dominion Champions), also the Football Team was inducted into Military Sports Hall of Fame, as well as Sport Nova Scotia Hall of Fame. In Judo he was inducted into Judo Canada Hall of Fame, Military Sport Hall of Fame, Judo Nova Scotia Hall of Fame (twice). In all phases, his nominations were as a builder and at the 1976 Olympics was a member of the Judo Canada Olympic Team officiating representatives. So in actual fact he never left the P&R branch but only expanded on it throughout the rest of his service life.