Reynolds, Ernest Robert Buchan (1896-1938)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

ERNEST R. B. REYNOLDS: born at Hull. He became a member of the Church at sixteen years of age. His chief joy was in work among young people. With zeal and gifts for leadership, it was evident to his friends that he was marked for wider spheres of service, and he became a very acceptable local preacher.

Then came the War, and he served with H.M. Forces overseas. For twenty months he endured much privation and suffering as a prisoner of war. This experience left its effects. On his release from the army he resumed all his Church activities with renewed zeal.

Recommended for the ministry, he served a year in the Stoke and Longton Circuit, before entering Hartley College in 1921. At the completion of his college training he was stationed in the South Wales Mission, where he began his active ministry.

He was a keen and able musician, and well known for his evangelistic work. Conscientious, industrious, and enthusiastic, he spent himself in the service of the churches. He was a loyal colleague, a devoted pastor and friend, held in high esteem by all.

The end came with startling suddenness on September 4, 1938, the first Sunday of his new appointment to Newcastle-under-Lyme Circuit.

Family

Ernest was born in 1896 at Hull, Yorkshire, to parents Albert, an assurance agent (1911), and Ada.

In 1911 Ernest was apprenticed to a boot salesman.

He married Lena Richardson (1901-1985) in the summer of 1926 at Cramlington, Northumberland.

Ernest died on 4 September 1938 at Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire. Sadly an inquest carried out on 5 September 1938 concluded that his death was due to (gas) poisoning self administered.