Thomas Hooton Michael Dix was born on 7 April 1908, the elder son of Mr and Mrs A. Dix of Oakhaven, Harrold, Bedfordshire. He was educated at Bedford Modern School between 1920 and 1926, and was a regular prizewinner in the organ classes at the Bedfordshire Music Festival. After school he attended King’s College, London, and on graduation he became a school teacher in Hendon while also attaining the Associateship Diploma (ARCO) at the Royal College of Organists in 1934. He later returned to King’s College, London to study theology and, in 1940, attended the Bishops’ College, Cheshunt.