Major the Rev. BRIAN THOMAS SWINNERTON, L.C.P., C.F.
Brian Thomas Swinnerton was born on the 8th November 1931 in Crewe Green, Cheshire,
the only child of Frank Swinnerton and his wife, Margery Ann Whalley,
and was educated at Sandbach School, Cheshire.
Upon leaving school in 1948 he joined British Rail as a surveyor and draughtsman,
permanent way engineer and later as a technical instructor at the Railway Staff College.
He joined the Supplementary Reserve with the Royal Engineers.
He was a volunteer soldier for 40 years serving in every rank from Sapper to Major -
from 1956-62 as a Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve Warrant Officer / Instructor.
In 1962 he was awarded a Commission with the Royal Artillery TAVR.
He retired as Major and Chaplain (Prince of Wales Division) in 1984.
It is an interesting fact that among his medals he had The Defence Medal 1939-1945
inscribed "Cadet B Swinnerton H. G. Runner" (ie Home Guard),
and 1953 The Coronation Medal inscribed "Sapper B. Swinnerton".
He was chosen to represent his unit in the Coronation Procession.
He slept the night before the Coronation in Green Park.
The weather was appalling.
He told me he could hear the water running under the duck boards.
From 1956-58 he studied at Oxford University for a Diploma in Education
and a Diploma in Theology.
He then lectured at Oxford Polytechnic teaching Liberal Arts.
However, his father Frank became seriously ill and Brian felt it his duty to be nearer to home.
He took a lecturing post at Stafford Polytechnic where he remained until 1984.
In 1959 he married Anne Jane Cooper at St Edberg's Church, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
They had two sons: William (1961) and Thomas (1962).
Brian continued studying throughout the 60's and 70's.
He became a Licentiate of the College of Preceptors (London) studying Education,
and a BA and Ph.D from the State University of New York (Educational Research).
It was in the late 60's when Brian was a Trustee of the William Salt Library in Stafford,
that he met up with Col. Iain Swinnerton;
when Iain founded the Swinnerton Society in 1973 Brian was his first recruit, and,
together with the late John Swinnerton MBE, TD, and the late Kenrick Armitstead MA,
who Iain had also been collaborating with for some time, formed the first Council of the Society.
Brian had always been very interested in his family history -
it is part of the history of North Staffordshire, and Brian belonged to the Betley Branch.
He has written many pamphlets and booklets about the family
and its connections with this area for over one thousand years.
Brian was a lecturer and teacher, a cadet and volunteer soldier
but the abiding interest in his life, alongside these, was Christianity.
As a boy and a youth he attended St Michael and all Angels Church at Crewe Green,
as a Sunday school pupil, choir boy, and then Sunday school teacher.
He became a Lay Reader for the Diocese of Chester in 1952
and for the Diocese of Lichfield in 1959.
He was able to help at so many churches because he had a car,
which was unusual for a young man in those days!
From 1967 to 1969 he studied part time at Lichfield Theological College,
having been accepted for Ordination.
He was ordained with his fellow students, to be the first non-stipendiary priests in this diocese.
This was a completely new concept and not popular with the clergy then.
He became Honorary Curate of Swynnerton,
where the Rector needed help and Brian was well known,
and then Hon. Curate for Eccleshall Deanery.
During this time he served as Chaplain to Swynnerton Military Training Camp.
He lived in the Vicarage at Broughton from 1974 to 1978 where he was Hon. Curate
and cared for the two parishes of Croxton and Broughton.
He was Chaplain to the High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1979-80
and preached the Assize Sermon at St Mary's Church Stafford for the opening of the Session.
In 1980 he went to live at Hales and retired from his lecturing post in 1984.
In 1983 he did a locum in southern Spain and visited ROTA the big American Base
where he baptised many babies and young children.
They had not had a visit from an Episcopalian chaplain for some time!
From 1984 to 1985 he was Chaplain for the NATO Headquarters Southern Europe
in Naples and responsible for Bari and Sorrento.
From 1986 onwards he became Chaplain of Rishworth School in Yorkshire,
then Acton Reynolds in Shropshire and lastly, in the early 90's,
chaplain to Thomas Telford School, in Telford.
He retired in 2011.
During this time he conducted many services locally and is remembered with affection.
He had many recreational interests.
He read widely, and was a fine artist, giving away many of his pictures to be auctioned for charity.
He loved walking and thought nothing of setting off with a dog for a five mile tramp.
He enjoyed speedway, motor sport and rugby union.
Writing was something he did most days.
He was a Justice of the Peace, Borough Councillor, and Parish Councillor.
When people came to him at times of bereavement or other tragedy
he would quietly listen and could always console and counsel.
One of the many messages of condolence received said:
"I'll remember him as a man with a well-judged presence, caring, warm, guiding.
A man of fascinating experience, huge intelligence, and who could give others space for their own perspective.
A man I wish I had met more often over the passing years."
He died, after a long illness, on the 31st January, 2016 aged 84.
