Vickers, Albert (1884-1973)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

ALBERT VICKERS: born at Ibstock, Leicester on 1st January, 1884. He was trained for the ministry at Hartley College and travelled in the following circuits: Nottingham II, Barnsley II, Ossett, Sowerby Bridge, Hexham, Nottingham (VI, Bulwell and North), Rochdale (South), Leeds (Bramley), Burnley (Brunswick). On retirement in 1952 he came to Grange-over-Sands in the Ulverston circuit as active supernumerary, finally retiring in 1957. This did not mean inactivity. For many years he continued a rich pulpit ministry, and as occasion arose he exercised administrative and pastoral duties with characteristic fidelity. 

He was a man of great integrity and character, forthright but courteous. He was a wide reader with a breadth of outlook and his preaching always carried the hall-mark of a clear thinker. A modest man, but wise in counsel when called on for guidance, he always had a kindly word with an original sense of humour. A message of cheer and encouragement often found its way to the preacher or to the chairman of a meeting after a difficult time. He had a special interest in music and was a Licentiate of the London College of Music. Outside the church he was honoured by the Men’s Forum at Grange by being elected president.

In his last years affliction took its toll and rendered him immobile. He bore his burdens bravely. His witness was radiant and friends from former circuits eagerly sought him out. His real memorial lies in the minds and hearts of those to whom he ministered and to those to whom as pastor he brought with all his native dignity and loving-kindness the full Gospel of Christ. 

He died on 9th January, 1973 in the ninetieth year of his age and the the sixty-fourth year of his ministry.

Family

Albert was born on 1 January 1884 at Ibstock, Leicestershire, to parents Samuel York Vickers, a coal miner, and Fanny Shepherd.

Before entering the ministry Albert was a music teacher (1901).

He married May Brooke (1887-1974) in the spring of 1915 in the Pontefract Registration District, Yorkshire. Birth records identify three children.

• Marjorie (b1918) – a student at Southlands College (1939)
• Joan (b1923)
• Donald (b1926)

Albert died on 9 January 1973 at Ulverston, Lancashire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1909 Nottingham II
• 1913 Barnsley II
• 1918 Ossett
• 1923 Sowerby Bridge
• 1928 Hexham
• 1932 Nottingham VI
• 1933 Nottingham Bull’l
• 1935 Nottingham North
• 1940 Rochdale S
• 1945 Leeds, Bram
• 1948 Burnley Brunswick
• 1952 Ulverston (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1973/159

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers