Policeman, Indian Imperial Police, Burma division (1922-1927)
Dishwasher, Paris hotel (1929)
Private tutor, England (1930)
Hop picker (1931)
Teacher, Hawthorne High School for Boys (1932-1933)
Teacher, Frays College (1933-1934)
Clerk, Booklover's Corner used bookstore (1934-1935)
Volunteer soldier, Spanish Republican Government (1937)
Talks producer, BBC Eastern Service (1941-1943)
Volunteer, Home Guard (1940-1943)
Literary editor, Tribune (1943-1945)
War correspondent, The Observer (1945)