Tanner, Alfred George (1892-1960)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

ALFRED GEORGE TANNER: born 1892 at Llwynpia, Glamorganshire. Early in life he dedicated himself to God, entering the Primitive Methodist Ministry in 1915 after being trained at Hartley College. The forty-three years of his active ministry were spent in Hereford, Whitehaven, Dartmouth, St. Day, Aldershot, Church-Stretton, Gateshead, Hexham, Bishop Auckland, Castle Donington, and Derby. 

He was a man of great personal charm, a beloved pastor and friend of his people. He had a high conception of the Ministry to which he gave unwavering loyalty through the years. In and out of the pulpit he was a man of God. While much of his time and friendship was devoted to the young, many of whom he established in the faith, he was likewise tireless in his care for the aged and infirm. 

Poetry was in his soul, and his preaching was deeply spiritual and made God very near to his hearers. He enjoyed a rich personal experience, and the presence of his Lord was especially real to him during his illness, which he bore with courage and serenity. 

Being concerned about Church unity, he gave long and loyal service to the Free Church Federal Council and readily co-operated in united witness with the Established Church. He showed considerable skill, patience and wisdom in uniting Societies and establishing them in love. Unity and beauty were a delight to him and by his guidance many drab churches were transformed. He made a large number of grateful friends as hospital chaplain and as a host at Guild holidays. In the course of his ministry he served in a number of District offices. 

Retiring in 1958, he continued to give generously of his services to the local churches. He died on 30 September 1960, at the age of sixty-eight, in the forty-fifth year of his ministry.

Family

Alfred was born on 30 May 1892 at Llwynypia, Glamorgan, to parents Fred, a coal miner, and Mary Elizabeth.

The 1911 census return records Alfred as a coal miner rider below ground.

He married Alice Powell (1887-1973) in the spring of 1920 at Hereford, Herefordshire. Birth records identify one child.

• Carless Paul (1924-2014) – a medical practitioner (1960)

Alfred died on 30 September 1960 at Allestree, Derbyshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1915 Hereford
• 1917 Whitehaven
• 1919 Dartmouth
• 1920 St Day
• 1924 Aldershot
• 1929 Church Stretton
• 1930 Gateshead II
• 1937 Hexham
• 1942 Bishop Auckland
• 1948 Castle Donington
• 1954 Derby S
• 1958 Derby (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1961/206

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers