Snowy spent a happy childhood in Penmaemawr playing in the Quarry, up the mountain or on the beach. The war caused little disruption to his childhood although his parents did strangely send him on holiday to Derby during the war which added a little more excitement to his life. His father was sent home from the army due to injury and his cousin Glyn lost both his legs in the war. Snowy passed his 11+ and went to Friars Grammar School in Bangor which he enjoyed, mainly the sports.