Held at:	Brothers Collection
Reference:	RS
Source:	Research
Title:	Biographical Details: Reverend CT Brothers, Rector of Bacton
Place name:	Golden Valley
Date:	1862 - 1953

Description:

 

 

The Reverend Charles Thomas Brothers: Rector of Bacton, 1904-1952. 

 

Charles was born in 1862 at Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire.  During his time as Rector of St Faith’s, Bacton he dedicated some of his time to travelling throughout Europe and the Middle East visiting churches and places of religious interest.  During these travels he regularly wrote articles for the Monthly Parish magazine; keeping all his parishioners, especially those not fortunate enough to travel to such places, informed about his adventures and the wonders, or otherwise, of the locations he visited.

He refused all offers of preferment (promotion) from several Bishops of Hereford.  He donated three stained-glass windows to the Church: that depicting Saint Faith in 1905, and Saint Lawrence and Saint Stephen in 1921.

He was also Chaplain to the Dore Poor Law Union and sat on the Board of Guardians for the Dore Workhouse in the Parish of Abbeydore, caring for the spiritual needs of the many residents of all ages.

His sister kept house for him and his time at Bacton was chronicled in the monthly magazines, an invaluable record of parish life. 

After a lifetime dedicated to God he finally passed away in January 1953 being laid to rest in a grave adjacent to the tower of St Faith’s.

When he died, after a tenure of 49 years, the parishioners placed the tablet to his memory in the Church.

 

Key Dates

 

Trained at St Bees College, Cumberland 1887 – 1888

 

 

 

Ordained at Newcastle Cathedral as Deacon in 1888

 

 

Ordained at Newcastle Cathedral as Priest in 1889 and became a curate in St John’s Church, Percy Main, Newcastle from 1888 – 1892

 

 

Moved to Amble nr Ashington in Northumberland from 1892 – 1893

 

Moved to Souldern nr Bicester, Oxfordshire from 1894 - 1896

 

Moved to Milford Haven, S. Wales from 1896 - 1901

 

Moved to Stretton Grandison in Herefordshire from 1902 – 1904

 

His last move in 1904 was to Bacton where he stayed until his death in 1953

 

 

 

Census details [see observations below for an alternative interpretation]

 

In 1871 he appears on the census for Depwade, Harleston in Norfolk aged 9

 

In 1891 he appears on the census for St Philip & St Jacob, Barton Regis in Gloucester aged 29

 

Family Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms granted in 1574 to Brothers of Oxfordshire

 

 

Copy of Words on Coat of Arms

 

 

_______________

 

Per pale gu and sa on a fesse between three griffins’ heads erased or, as many lozenges ermines

 

_______________

 

Crest

 

A demi greyhound sa holding in the paws a dart gu feathered argent

 

_______________

 

Mottos:         Semper Eadem       (Always the same)

                    Hodie mihi cras tibi  (It is my lot today, yours tomorrow)

                    Patoir ut potior        (We suffer that we may win the victory)

 

 

Meaning behind the symbols:

 

Colours

                    Gold   Generosity and elevation of the mind

                    Red    Warrior or martyr; military strength and magnanimity

                    Black  Constancy or grief

 

Arrow/Dart              Readiness (for battle)

Dog                        Courage, vigilance and loyalty

Fesse                     Military belt or girdle of honour; Readiness to serve the public

Griffin                     Valour and death-defying bravery, vigilance

Lozenge                 Constancy

 

Observations:

Compiled by ELSG from documents and details provided by Rev. Brothers’ nephew, 2015.

 

We are grateful for an alternative analysis of census data for the Reverend Brothers that has been provided by a correspondent, Chris Jones, who suggests that the census data quoted in the paper above relates to the wrong Charles Brothers and that there were two of similar age. He proposes that the correct census references for ‘our’ man should read as follows:

 

Census details

In 1871 he appears on the census for Clifton in Bristol aged 8 (his father worked for the Inland Revenue).

In 1881 he appears on the census for Sudbury in Suffolk aged 18, where he is lodging as a shopman to a china, glass and fancy goods dealer.

In 1891 he appears on the census for Chirton, Tynemouth, aged 28 and described, for the first time, as a Clerk in Holy Orders. This is consistent with him being curate at St John’s Church, Percy Main, Newcastle, at that time.

In 1901 he appears on the census for Milford Haven, aged 39, lodging in Priory Street. This is consistent with him being curate or rector there at that time.

And in 1911 he appears on the census at Bacton Rectory, aged 48, with his sister, a visiting female and a servant.