John Patrick Arthur Meldrum was born in Northamptonshire in 1903. He studied at Glasgow University, graduating with a BSc, before joining Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co Ltd as a vacation and college apprentice between 1924 and 1927. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked for the company as a sales engineer, eventually becoming the Sales Manager in the Switchgear Department.

During the Second World War, he served as a Temporary Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Corps of Signals and was awarded an OBE in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe.

He was an editor of The Switchgear Handbook Vol 1 in 1953. In 1955 he became Director and Manager of Home Sales at Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co Ltd.

He died in a road accident in Dumfries in 1958.