Peter Roberts was born the youngest of four children on 7th June 1924 in Rugeley, Staffordshire. During his grammar school days he helped out on local farms in his rural community. After completing his education at a public school, he did his national military service with the infantry. When he handed in his military uniform two years later, he was back amongst the farms as a cowman and tractor driver. He moved on to an agricultural college, where his claim to fame was as captain of the darts team. After receiving a National Diploma in Agriculture it was back to the land as farm manager on a 350-acre Shropshire farm. He later moved to Hampshire and bought a 60-acre farm at Froxfield, Hampshire.