Miles Bellville was educated at Malvern and Jesus College, Cambridge, where his prowess as an oarsman led to him being elected a member of the Leander Club. A member of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club, in 1934 he crewed on the Endeavor when Tommy Sopwith challenged for the America’s Cup. At the 1936 Olympic Games he was one of a crew of five who all sailed at Burnahm, and won gold medals in the 6-metre class aboard Lalage. As a major in the Royal Marine Commandos, Belville won a Military Cross in 1942 in the attack on the Vichy French base at Diego Suares in Madagascar, and the following year he was awarded the MBE. A gentleman farmer, he served as Sheriff of Hereford from 1966 to 1969.
Great Britain