Born in Bristol, Hall St Bedminster Berriman became a compositor, and joined the Typographical Association, serving as the President of the Bristol Typographical Society from 1913 until 1916.
Through this, he was a member of the Bristol Trades Council, and from 1920 until 1925 served as its vice-president.
[1] Berriman also joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP), and was chair of its Bristol branch from 1912 until 1916.
As a conscientious objector during World War I, he was sentenced to hard labour.
[2][3] In 1944, Berriman resigned his council seat, due to poor health, and he died the following year.