As a young man he lived In Sydney, Australia. Business interests took him to most parts of the world. At one time he was an exporter at Mombasa and Zanzibar where he was vice consul. He was also associated with the Standard Oill Co of New York and was in partnership with his wife's father as a marine insurance underwriter. In retirement settled in England and joined the Royal Torbay Yacht Club. Raced regularly.

North has W.F. Vanderhoof

Playne Messrs. Arnold, Cheney I'C Co., whose principal imports are cotton goods, were the first to import ‘'American" goods to this country. Large stocks are stored at Aden for distribution along the East Coast. They export an immense amount of ivory, which is bought locally and through other connections. The manager chooses and selects the ivorv here. The firm have their own pianoforte-kev factories in the United States, where all their ivory is consumed. A few skins and chillies are occasionally shipped.  The head office for the East Coast is at Zanzibar (for description see the Zanzibar section of this work), and there are branches in Aden, Muscat, Alcppey, India, Smyrna, and London. Partners : Mr. |. A. Jones, Mr. Win. M. Vanderhoof, and Mr. W. B. Arnold (son of the original founder).

1939 England and Wales Register living with wife in Torquay, as 'marine insurance underwriter retired'