Wilfrid Westall

Wilfrid Arthur Edmund Westall (20 November 1900 – 22 February 1982) was an English Anglican bishop in the 20th century. He served as the Archdeacon of Exeter and as a Bishop of Crediton (both in the Diocese of Exeter).

Early life

Westall was born into a clerical family—his father was St Leger Westall (a priest); Wilfrid was a great-grandson of the artist William Westall ARA (1781–1850).^[1] He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, an all-boys public school in the City of London.^[1] He went on to study theology at St Chad's College, Durham University, graduating with distinction.^[2]

Career

Westall was ordained into the Church of England in 1925:^[3] Having been deaconed previously, he was priested on Trinity Sunday (7 June) by Ernest Barnes, Bishop of Birmingham, at Birmingham Cathedral.^[4] He was a curate in Birmingham and at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Brighton. In 1930, he was appointed Vicar of St Wilfrid's Church, Brighton.^[5][6] He further served as a Vicar at Hawnby and Shaldon. He was appointed Archdeacon of Exeter in 1951,^[2] and a Canon residentiary of Exeter Cathedral.^[7] Late in his life he wrote The Life of the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter. On 18 October 1954, he was consecrated a bishop by Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, at Westminster Abbey,^[8] to serve as Bishop of Crediton (one of two suffragan bishops of the Diocese of Exeter).^[9] In 1958, he resigned as archdeacon and canon of Exeter to concentrate on his duties as Bishop.^[10] He retired on 29 June 1974.^[11]

For many years, he frequently appeared on the panel of the radio programme Any Questions?.^[1][12] He was keenly interested in railways and the nickname of "God's Wonderful Railway" for the Great Western Railway has been attributed to him.^[13]

Lourdes

He led the first Anglican pilgrim to Lourdes in 1963, his group contains 48 people including: 1 bishop, 6 priests,1 deacon, 2 nuns, and 6 invalid children.^[14][15]

Later life

He died on 22 February 1982, at the age of 81.^[1] A memorial service was held at Exeter Cathedral on 3 April 1982.^[16]

Personal life

In 1927, Westall married Ruth Evans. Together they had four children; a son and three daughters.^[1]