Reginald Moxon Armitage, professionally known as Noel Gay, was born on July 15, 1898, in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, and passed away on March 4, 1954. He was a prominent British composer of popular music during the 1930s and 1940s, renowned for his work in musical theatre. Gay's career was marked by his ability to craft catchy melodies that spanned various styles, from music hall to operetta.

Educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, he earned a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London at the age of 15. By eighteen, he was already serving as the music director and organist at St. Anne's Church in London's Soho district. After a brief military service during World War I, he attended Christ's College, Cambridge, where his focus shifted from religious music to musical comedy.

Adopting the stage name Noel Gay, inspired by a sign he saw on a London bus, he began writing popular songs and contributed to numerous revues. His most famous work, the musical "Me and My Girl," opened in 1937 and became a significant success, particularly after being broadcast live on the BBC in 1938. The show included the hit song "The Lambeth Walk," which became a cultural phenomenon.

Throughout his career, Gay wrote music for 28 films and 26 London shows, and his songs were performed by notable artists such as Gracie Fields and George Formby. Despite his success, his output decreased after World War II, partly due to increasing deafness and changing musical tastes. He left behind a legacy as one of Britain's most beloved composers of his era.