Edward Wynn

Harold Edward Wynn OGS (1889–1956) was an Anglican bishop.[1][2] He was born on 15 January 1889 and educated at Mercers' School, London and Trinity Hall, Cambridge.[3] Ordained a priest on Trinity Sunday 1912 (2 June), by Frederic Chase, Bishop of Ely, at Ely Cathedral,[4][5] his first post was as Chaplain of Jesus College, Cambridge, a period interrupted by World War I service as a Chaplain to the British Armed Forces. He was very young at 25 when he was interviewed for a commission as a chaplain in October, 1914,[6] but served successfully in France, Italy and finally, the Army of the Rhine. He was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Croce di Guerre,an Italian decoration for meritorious service.[7] He was regarded as 'A very capable Chaplain. Has indeed most Valuable Servuces both on the ministerial and administrative side of Department's work'.[8] The choice for Ely in 1941 rested between George Chase, a future Bishop of Ripon and Edward Wynn. Archbishops Lang and Temple preferred Chase. Wynn's outgoing personality had led to perceived drawbacks in his candidature for the post e.g. ‘ .... he had never quite grown up and had remained something of a Peter Pan'. However, the Prime Minister preferred Wynn and he was consecrated bishop on 25 July 1941.[9][10] He died suddenly on 12 August 1956, having proved very popular and acquiring a reputation as ‘ .... one of the gentlest and most compassionate of men .... Everybody who knew him well will know how consistently benevolent he always was'.[11] Wynn was the first alumnus of Ely Theological College to become a diocesan bishop.[12] There is a commemorative plaque in Ely Cathedral.

Memorial to Harold Edward Wynn in Ely Cathedral

References

1. 'New Bishop of Ely', The Times, 2 August 1941; pg. 6; Issue 48994; col A.
2. Archbishops of Canterbury Archives, The National Archives
3. "Wynn, Harold Edward". Who's Who. ukwhoswho.com. A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
4. "Ordinations". Church Times (#2576). 7 June 1912. p. 798. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 7 December 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
5. "The Clergy List" London, Kelly’s, 1913.
6. Index Card Museum of Army Chaplaincy
7. Who Was Who. A and C Black
8. TNA WO374/77383
9. TNA PREM5/303
10. 'Someday I'll Find You',HA Williams,p171,Mitchell Beasley,1982
11. Op cit Williams
12. Mascall, E. L. (1992) Saraband. Leominster: Gracewing; p. 102