Real memorial obituaries – Combe Down, Monkton Combe, Midford

In memoriam et celebrationem

In memorial and celebration

DIED ON CLIFFS AT LOOE

Former Rector of St. Michael's Bath

We regret to announce that the Rev. George Chaloner Williamson, of Braeside, Combe Down, Bath, died suddenly on the cliffs at Looe, Cornwall, on Wednesday.

Mr. Williamson was at Looe for a holiday with Mrs. Williamson. He complained of illness while out on the cliffs, and passed away while his wife was securing assistance.

During his rectorship of St. Michael's, Bath, from 1915 to 1928, Mr. Williamson was dearly loved, and his enforced retirement, rendered necessary as as a result of an accident, was greatly regretted.

He had been on holiday in West Somerset, and became involved in a bad motor accident, as
a result of which he last the sight of an eye, in addition to suffering other injuries.

FAITHFUL MINISTRY,

During his incumbency, and under his leadership, the faithful ministry of former rectors was continued, and that most effectively.

The situation of St. Michael's Church and parish presents certain difficulties which are not
associated with other city churches. From the highest standpoint of all, the work of the church must be continually aggressive; though compared with the parishes in the western district of Bath St. Michael's represents a citadel for home defence rather than an area of aggressive work.

The population of the parish is about 1,250, and the condition of the neighbourhood does not favour an immigration of residents, particularly of an industrial class, but an emigration. parish consists mainly of shops, and the residential parts are let for apartments. and boarding houses.

Sundry streets and lanes of St. Michael's possess more attractions to the artist anxious to sketch a picturesque "bit" than to the would-be tenant. All available land is devoted to some form of industry or manufacture. But, in spite of all these things, and in spite, also, of the close proximity of the Abbey, which could accommodate at need the entire population of this neighbouring parish St. Michael's has been for many years living Church, and never more so
that during Mr. Williamson's rectorate Evangelical principles were vigorously inculcated, and
the various parachute organisations, the Sunday School, the Brand Of Hope, the Mothers'
Meeting etc., were maintained in activity and expansive usefulness.

CHAPLAIN OF GIRLS’ MISSIONS

A strong missionary organisation that kept up. Then, too, the House of Help the hostel of the Bath Preventive Mission, is in the the parish; and, as Chaplin of the Mission, Mr. Williamson did splendid work.

After his retirement, Mr. Williamson continued to take great interest in Church work at Bath, and particularly at St. Michaels, where he was a frequent and welcome visitor at any parochial gatherings.

Leaving the London College of Divinity in 1881, Mr. Williamson became curate of St. Andrew's Hastings in 1884. Three years later he went to the James's, Holloway, until 1889, where he was appointed associate of secretary of the Church Missionary Society for the South Western District, an office which he helped until 1895, when he became vicar of Help
Trinity, Bordesley. Leaving there at 1902, he was appointed vicar of the Simons, Hammersmith, and remained there until he came to St. Michael's Bath.

A son of Mr. Williamson is Chaplain at the Tower of London, and is expected shortly to go to
Egypt, for five years.