He joined the Territorial Force as a volunteer and during the First World War he served in Egypt, Gallipoli, France, and Belgium.

[2] In 1922, he commanded the East Lancashire Divisional Train, Royal Army Service Corps and was honorary Colonel of the formation from 1923 to 1933.

[3] In 1921, the Coalition Liberal-held seat at Heywood and Radcliffe fell vacant as the sitting MP, Albert Illingworth went to the House of Lords.

The successful candidate, Walter Halls of Nottingham, was said to have profited from the breakdown of talks in Manchester over wages in the cotton trade, which threatened the employment and livelihoods of many of the local people.

In the face of this, England reluctantly stood down to prevent the splitting of the National vote and to avoid the risk of defeat.

In 1934, despite his Liberal National affiliations (and a supporter of tariffs), England was elected president of the Manchester Reform Club.