John Pawle was born in 1915. He was a sportsman, naval officer, stockbroker and artist.

He became captain of cricket at Harrow, later playing for Cambridge University, where he won blues in 1936 and 1937 as well as playing for Essex. At the start of war in 1939 Pawle joined the Royal Navy and served in destroyers. After the war he became a partner in a firm of stockbrokers in the City of London.

Pawle had studied at Westminster School of Art before the war, but did not devote himself to painting until he retired from the City in 1979.

Thereafter he successfully exhibited internationally and sold to collectors worldwide.