Early life and career Shelton was born on 27 June 1905 in
Taihape and was subsequently educated at Fielding Technical School. He then entered the employment of Hodder and Tolley Ltd in 1920 as a salesman. In 1934, he was appointed manager of the company's Marton branch which he held until 1954 when he resigned. In 1935, he married Dorothy Mamie Stevens. He was interested in music and sung baritone. He was actively involved with the Marton Players and Marton Music Society. During
World War II he was an artillery gunner and posted to the Pacific, Egypt and Italy from 1943 to 1944. After returning from the war Shelton was president and treasurer of the Marton A & P Association as well as secretary of the Rangitikei Potato Growers Association. He was an advisory member of the Marton Young Farmers, patron of the Marton Scouts and Venturers club and a member of the Marton Jockey and Racing Club. He was described by contemporaries as the best minister in the Holyoake cabinet. He was ranked third in the cabinet and was
Acting prime minister on several occasions. He died in
Wellington Hospital in 1980, aged 75 years, after suffering from a heart complaint. He was survived by his wife Dorothy and son Lindsay. Lindsay was married to famous broadcaster
Sharon Crosbie. ==Notes==