Williamson, Claud (1892-1977)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

CLAUD WILLIAMSON: born in Goole on 8th July 1892. He offered for the Primitive Methodist ministry in 1915, and was sent immediately into army chaplaincy service until 1918, serving a further year in Edinburgh before a two-year training at Hartley College. He then served in the following circuits: Leicester II, Hornsea, Grimsby I, Guisborough, Redcar, Saltburn and Guisborough, Tadcaster, Beverley (Wednesday Market), Bradford (Great Horton, Bethel), and Cross Hills, Silsden and Cowling. 

His army chaplaincy deeply affected the ministry he exercised, giving it deep compassion and great urgency. Former colleagues have testified to his loyalty and dependability as a minister, of his capacity to make friends with his people, and of the high esteem in which he was held by those to whom he ministered. He was entirely devoted to his work, and in it all was ably supported by his wife Gertrude, and their home was a delight to visit. 

He retired in 1955, and during his last ten years lived at “Moreton”, the Methodist Home for the Aged at Exmouth. In his latter years there a disease robbed him of coherent speech and made eating a long and difficult process. But in spite of this his quiet, gracious personality ministered to those who visited him, and he was always deeply grateful for all that was done for him. He died on 18th January 1977 in the eighty-fifth year of his age and the sixtieth year of his ministry.

Family

Claud was born on 8 July 1892 at Goole, Yorkshire, to parents Matthew Williamson, an assistant life assurance superintendent (1901), and Mary Eliza Naylor. he was baptised on 8 July 1892 at Goole.

Before entering the ministry Claud was an electrical engineer’s clerk (1911).

He married Gertrude Aldam (1895-1965) in the summer of 1921 in the Halifax Registration District, Yorkshire. Census returns identify one child.

• Joyce (b1923) – married Reginald Rutledge in 1944

Claud died on 18 January 1977 in the Exmouth, Devon.

Circuits

• 1915 United Army Bd
• 1918 Edinburgh
• 1919 Hartley
• 1921 Leicester II
• 1925 Hornsea
• 1928 Grimsby I
• 1932 Guisborough
• 1935 Tadcaster
• 1940 Beverley W Mik
• 1946 Bradford Gt H
• 1950 Cross Hill&c
• 1955 Brighouse (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1977/87

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers