Trussell, George Reginald (1889-1971)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

GEORGE REGINALD TRUSSELL: born at Ashby-de-la-Zouch in 1889, the influence of a Methodist home prepared him to offer for the ministry. He received his theological training at Hartley College. Appointed to the Southend-on-Sea circuit in 1913. After the commencement of the First World War he was posted to Aldershot for training as a Chaplain to the Forces. Subsequently, he served in that capacity in France, returning to circuit work in 1919. He then served in the Manchester circuit followed by Mansfield, Hucknall, Harringay, Penzance, Walsall (Stafford Street). 

In 1940, he came to the Nottingham East Circuit remaining there for the period of the war. During this time, he established a most successful Forces Canteen which it is estimated served a quarter of a million of the armed forces. Following upon this, he went to Knighton, Llanymynech finally returning to the Nottingham East Circuit for one year to fill an unexpected vacancy. He superannuated in 1955 living for a time in Wilford, Nottingham before settling in the village of Lambley. He pursued his hobby of gardening and exercised in the local church an effective ministry of encouragement to the preachers and concern for the congregation. 

He was a gifted preacher, of fine pulpit presence which left an abiding impression. He is remembered as a diligent pastor and an able administrator. On the Sunday before Christmas at a family reunion in his home, he died peacefully in the midst of his loved ones, in the eighty-second year of his life and fifty-ninth year of his ministry.

Family

George was born on 6 February 1889 at Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, William, a railway clerk (1891), and Agnes.

He married Catherine Radford (1892-1976) in late 1919 at Burton on Trent, Staffordshire. Census returns identify three children.

• Richard Radford (1920-2008)
• John Reginald (1923-1989)
• Elizabeth Catherine (1923-2005)

George died on 19 December 1971 at Lambley, Nottinghamshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1913 Southend
• 1915 Chaplain H.M. Forces, Aldershot
• 1919 Manchester V
• 1922 Mansfield
• 1926 Hucknall
• 1929 Harringay
• 1933 Penzance
• 1936 Walsall Staff
• 1940 Nottingham E
• 1946 Knighton
• 1951 Lanymynech
• 1954 Nottingham E
• 1955 Nottingham (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1972/202

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 199

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers