Charles Symons

Charles Douglas Symons, CB, MC (13 October 1885 – 15 October 1949) was an[1] Anglican priest.[2]

Early life and education

He was born on 13 October 1885[3] and was educated at Kelly College, now known as Mount Kelly, Tavistock and Trinity College, Cambridge. He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a second class Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree; as per tradition, this was later promoted to a Master of Arts (MA (Cantab)) degree.[4] He awarded a Lambeth Doctor of Divinity (DD) degree in 1939.[5]

Ordained ministry

Symons was ordained a deacon in 1908.[6] His first post was as chaplain to Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Cranbrook, Kent.[5] He was ordained a priest by Randall Davidson, the Archbishop of Canterbury, on Trinity Sunday 1911.[7] He undertook two curacies; at Biddenden and at Walmer in the Diocese of Canterbury.[5]

Symons served in the ranks of the Royal Army Medical Corps from 1915 to 1916.[4] He served with the Royal Army Chaplains Department from 1916 to 1944. From 1939 to 1944, he served as Chaplain-General to the Forces.[4]

An Honorary Chaplain to the King[8] and a Chaplain of the Order of St John of Jerusalem,[9] he died on 15 October 1949.[10]

References

  1. ^ Liddell Hart Papers
  2. ^ National Church Institutions Database of Manuscripts and Archives[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Who was Who" 1897–2007 London, A & C Black, 2007 ISBN 978-0-19-954087-7
  4. ^ a b c 'SYMONS, Rev. Charles Douglas', Who Was Who, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 1920–2016; online edn, Oxford University Press, 2014; online edn, April 2014 accessed 3 Aug 2017
  5. ^ a b c "IN MEMORIAM: Charles Douglas Symons, Priest". Church Times. No. 4524. 21 October 1949. p. 706.
  6. ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory 1940–41 Oxford, OUP 1940
  7. ^ "Ordination on Trinity Sunday". Church Times. 16 June 1911. p. 842.
  8. ^ The Army Honorary Chaplain to the King The Times Saturday, 23 Sep 1939; p. 8; Issue 48418; col E
  9. ^ London Gazette 27 June 1941
  10. ^ The Rev. C. D. Symons The Times Wednesday, 19 October 1949; p. 7; Issue 51516; col E
Military offices
Preceded by Chaplain-General to the Forces
1939–1944 		Succeeded by