He was born in Derby, Derbyshire, and played amateur football for Albion as a goalie. He later became a chartered accountant,[3] founding the firm Clement Keys & Sons. He was borough accountant for West Bromwich. He was also active as a Freemason; he was Master of the Dartmouth Lodge and Sandwell Lodge of Freemasons and was Assistant Standard-bearer of the United Grand Lodge of England. He died in Birmingham, aged 73.[4][5]