Oliver Green-Wilkinson

Francis Oliver Green-Wilkinson CBE MC (called Oliver; 7 May 1913 – 26 August 1970) was an eminent Anglican bishop in the third quarter of the 20th century.[1]

Early life and education

Green-Wilkinson was born on 7 May 1913 in the Rectory at Aston Tirrold, the second of five children of Rev. Lumley Green Wilkinson and Myfanwy, daughter of Sir Francis Edwards, 1st Baronet.[2] His paternal grandfather was Lieutenant-General Frederick Green-Wilkinson.

He was educated at Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford.[3]

Career

On 15 November 1939, Green-Wilkinson joined the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry as a private.[2]

Having served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps, he was made deacon at Michaelmas 1946 (22 September) by Edmund Morgan, Bishop of Southampton,[4] and ordained priest on Trinity Sunday 1947 (1 June) by Mervyn Haigh, Bishop of Winchester—both times at Winchester Cathedral.[5] His first post was as a Curate at St Mary, Southampton,[6] after which he was on the staff of St Alban's Cathedral, Pretoria [7] until his appointment to the episcopate as the 4th Bishop of Northern Rhodesia in 1951. He was consecrated a bishop on St Andrew's Day 1951 (30 November) by Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, at Westminster Abbey.[8] After eleven years he was additionally elected Archbishop of Central Africa. A fierce opponent of apartheid and a naturalised Zambian, he was killed in a car crash[9] whilst being driven back the 400 miles from Katete to Lusaka by a very steady African driver who had frequently driven him long distances. As was quite usual, Green-Wilkinson decided to do some work during the journey, and retrieved for his briefcase from the back seat. As he reached for his seat-belt, a tyre burst, the car swerved, Green-Wilkinson was thrown out of the car, and his head hit a tree.[10]

References
  1. See a photograph of him by Elliott & Fry in the NPG, x91751, bromide print, 1951.
  2. Green-Wilkinson, John (ed.) Bishop Oliver: Letters & Reminiscences (Wilton 65, 1998) ISBN 9780947828561
  3. Who was Who 1897–1990, A. & C. Black, 1991 [page number required]
  4. "Ordinations at Michaelmas". Church Times. No. 4366. 27 September 1946. p. 584. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 6 November 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  5. "Ordinations at Trinity". Church Times. No. 4400. 6 June 1947. p. 338. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 6 November 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  6. Parish web-site
  7. (1981) Dictionary of South African Biography, Vol IV. Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council. ISBN 0-409-09183-9
  8. "Double consecration at Westminster Abbey". Church Times. No. 4635. 7 December 1951. p. 837. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 6 November 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  9. The Times, Friday, 28 August 1970; p. 8; Issue 57956; col G "Dr O. Green-Wilkinson Archbishop of Central Africa" Obituary
  10. Bishop Oliver (p. 261)
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