He was born at Hetton-le-Hole on 5 July 1913. His father died in the Battle of the Somme and he began his working life in a local colliery. Brought back into the Church through Christian Endeavour, he trained for the ministry at Hartley Victoria College. In 1942 he married Nancy Isobel Clennell, the younger daughter of the Rev. John Clennell (e.m. 1905), whose ministry had greatly influenced him. He served for one year in Eastern Nigeria, but had to return home because of his wife's severe health problems. He served mainly in circuits in the North East and Yorkshire. He was active in the North East Branch of the Wesley Historical Society,and contributed to the WHS Proceedings and various other periodicals, and in 1982 gave a lecture on R.F. Wearmouth, a protégé of John Clennell. He died on 13 January 1990. His daughter, Susan Howdle, was Vice-President of the 1993 Conference.

Entry written by: SRH
Category: Person
Comment on this entry