From a Jewish-Ukrainian family. Joined the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1929. In 1937 he went to join the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War in which he acted as an ambulance driver. In 1942 he joined the 'Lidice Shall Live' organisation, serving as its chairman in later years. After 1968 Kenton joined the Labour Party. From 1980 he produced pottery for trade union causes.