Born at Hook in Yorkshire, by the age of twenty he had set himself up as a ship painter at Goole, much of his work being commissioned by the masters and crew of Danish ships.

In 1904 he moved to Cornwall on account of his health, where he remained for the rest of his life. He never exhibited, and supported his family entirely by commission. During the First World War he made watercolour plans for the Ministry of Defence, but did little work after 1930. His merchant coasters are usually depicted broadside and under sail. The majority of his pictures are in watercolour and technically accomplished, with bold colours; he also painted occasional landscapes.

Before about 1908 he usually signed 'R' and very rarely 'RCG.'. He kept regular diaries of his commissions. He died at Par, Cornwall.