Kendall grew up in South Shields, where he joined the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB).
He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, before finding work as a clerk at the National Insurance offices.
He also joined the Civil Service Clerical Association (CSCA), becoming branch secretary, and rejoined the CPGB.
[2] He reluctantly agreed to the union adopting a policy permitting members to take strike action, but was keen to use this only among sections which did not work directly with the public.
In this role, he was known for his close working relationship with his press officer, Jimmy O'Dea, and spent considerable amounts of time courting the media.