Singer and actor, was born in Devonport, only child of Tasmanian-born parents Charles Edmund Wells Oldaker, farmer, and Alice Mabel (nee Wade). He undertook professional training in England while working in theatre and radio. He won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, London in 1934. He returned to Australia and toured with J C Williamson and starred in many musical and theatrical productions. He also composed works for piano. He returned to Launceston permanently in 1959 and worked in radio and television and as a teacher of voice and continued to perform in interstate productions.