Mort, Richard (1907-1942)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

RICHAARD MORT, C.F.: died June 11, 1942, from wounds in the battle of the Libyan Desert.

Born at Bolton in 1907, he entered the Primitive Methodist Ministry in 1931, after training at Hartley College, and served with devotion and distinction in the Abertillery, Crewe (Mill Street), Nantwich (Hospital Street), and Bury (Brunswick) Circuits. On the day war was declared he volunteered and served with the B.E.F. in France, and was among the evacuated from Dunkirk; soon he was posted to the Middle East and served with the 8th Army in Palestine, Egypt, and Libya.

He ever sought to equip himself for better service and for wider spheres. He was dauntless in spirit and smiled at obstacles great or small, but was never diverted by them. Vivacious, generous, big souled, he had great social qualities and soon found his way into the hearts of people. He excelled in the pulpit and showed promise of considerable literary power. It was a man’s work he wished to do and he has done it.

His life has been short but it has been full, and he has finished gloriously. Those who knew him loved him and mourn his loss, but they will ever be proud, knowing that even in a desert place he served his Master to the end.

Family

Richard was born on 25 January 1907 at Bolton, Lancashire, to parents Thomas, a cotton spinner (1911), and Lucy.

He married Kathleen Boal (1907-1990) in the summer of 1935 in the Rochdale Registration District, Lancashire.

Richard Barrie (1936-2011)
Jacqueline Marion (1938-2005) – married John A Hancock in 1962

Richard died on 11 January 1942 in Libya. At the time of his death, Richard was attached as chaplain to the 5th Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment.