Bradshaw, Walter (1902-1970)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

WALTER BRADSHAW (B); born in 1902 at Sturton by Stow, he entered the ministry at the age of twenty and served in two circuits, Kidderminster and Patrington, before going to Hartley College. After three years at college, he was called out to take an appointment at Chesterfield. Eighteen months later, he went to Thetford. He was ordained in 1930 at Epworth and subsequently served in circuits at Reading (London St), Driffield, Malton, Easingwold. Then came two years as a Chaplain to the Forces, followed by further circuit work at Doncaster (Highfield Rd), Sheffield (Surrey St), Scunthorpe, Easingwold (second term) and Filey (Ebenezer). He was compelled to retire early due to ill-health, and settled in Sturton by Stow where, in the Lincoln (North) Circuit, he continued to preach as his health permitted. 

He was a most acceptable preacher, a true pastor and a faithful servant of the Lord. His kindness and sense of humour endeared him to all, and were obvious even when he was very ill. During his active ministry he took a special interest in helping local preachers and for many years held a fellowship for them at his home. His death came suddenly as he was returning from a preaching appointment at Welton. He died on 9 August 1970, in the sixty-eighth year of his age and the forty-fourth of his ministry.

Family

Walter was born on 17 February 1902 at Sturton on Stow, Lincolnshire, to parents John Bradshaw, a threshing machine owner (1911), and Emily Gurnhill. His brother, Fred, was also a PM minister.

He married Ada Whitworth (b1902) in the summer of 1930 in the Gainsborough Registration District, Lincolnshire. Birth records identify two children.

• Geoffrey (b1931)
• John (b1936)

Walter died on 9 August 1970 in the Lincoln Registration District..

Circuits

• 1923 Kidderminster
• 1924 Patrington
• 1925 Hartley
• 1928 Chesterfield
• 1929 Thetford
• 1930 Reading Long Rd
• 1934 Driffield
• 1937 Malton
• 1941 Easingwold
• 1942 Chaplain H.M. Forces
• 1944 Doncaster Highfield Rd
• 1948 Sheffield Surrey
• 1952 Scunthorpe &C
• 1955 Easingwold
• 1960 Filey Ebenezer
• 1963 Kidderminster (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1971/162

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers