Cruft, the son of the double-bassist Eugene Cruft was educated at Westminster Abbey Choir School, Westminster School, and as a Boult conducting scholar at the Royal College of Music from 1938, completing his studies there briefly in 1946-1947 after service in World War II.
Cruft, the son of double-bassist Eugene Cruft, studied at Westminster Abbey Choir School and Westminster School before becoming a Boult conducting scholar at the Royal College of Music from 1938. He completed his studies there briefly in 1946-1947 after serving in World War II.