Painter and draughtsman, full name John Bromfield Gay Rees, he was born in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. While suffering from acute eczema as a small boy he developed an artistic talent, so that aged 13 he won first prize in the drawing and design category at National Eisteddfod junior section. Aged 14 enrolled at School of Art and Craft, Llanelli, where the headmaster D E H Pratt encouraged him to show at Swansea public gallery. Pratt recommended him to Royal Academy Schools where he was a brilliant student from enrolment at the end of 1932, a friend of Alfred Janes and William Scott. Illness in 1935 prompted surgery and this led to a nervous disorder which affected the rest of his life. Although his work was praised by Sir William Rothenstein, Rees was now confined to his home and did not show.