He was born in Marley Street, Bradford, Yorkshire, the son of a carter. His working life started in mill as a 10-year-old, working half-time. He became a senior partner in a Grimsby firm of jewellers and merchants. He became Mayor of the town in 1922.
As Minister of Pensions from 1939, he was the only government minister to hold the same office throughout World War II, but lost his seat in the 1945 general election and was the last Conservative MP for the constituency of Grimsby constituency, until the General Election of 12 December 2019, when Lia Nici was elected as a Conservative. He was knighted in 1934 and received a baronetcy in the 1945 resignation honours. In 1946 he was awarded the Order of the Dannebrog for services to the Danish fishing industry and fishermen, especially during the War.
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