Joseph Dickerson was born just outside Norwich. He is the youngest of six children. His parents emigrated to Australia in 1959, and the family returned to Norfolk when he was nineteen.

He became an Air Traffic Controller,served in the Royal Air Force, and travelled extensively abroad on other Government business, before taking early retirement.

With a colleague he then travelled the world as a Venture Capital Assessor, visiting India, USA, Canada, Ecuador, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Cyprus, The Cook Islands, Fiji, and the Middle East.

Joseph is married to the artist Karen Anne Lindegaard, and they have two children, Glenn and Heidi. They also have four grandchildren, Laura, Sadie, Jessica, and Daniel.

Joseph and Karen spend their times now between Norfolk and Spain.