Henry Charleton

Charleton was born in Kentish Town, in London. His father Henry Charleton was an engine-driver on the Midland Railway. The younger Henry was educated at Mansfield Place Board School, which he left at age 12. He worked initially as an assistant to a blacksmith, before following his father into the Midland Railway. He rose through the grades and eventually became a driver. In 1897, Charleton married Louisa Jane Alcock from Kentish Town. They had one son. == Career ==

Whilst working on the railways, Charleton studied at the St Pancras Working Men's College, and became active in the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR). He was elected at the 1922 general election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Leeds South, and held the seat until his defeat in 1931. However the Unionist candidate Noel Whiteside took the seat with a majority of 2.0% of the votes. he regained the seat at the 1935 general election, He also served as an alderman on London County Council. == References ==