Pontefract and lived in London and St Mawes, Cornwall, the artist produced a phenomenal 107 works now in Imperial War Museum. Having served as the official Naval War Artist in both World Wars, he also produced lithographs for propaganda purposes in WWI and painted naval subjects for the War Artists Committee in WWII.

In 1930s, he continued both his marine painting and poster work and became in demand from railway companies for tourism posters. He wrote several books on sailing and was a keen sailor himself. Out-spoken critic of modern art.