Wilfred John Simkin CMG (15 June 1883 – 8 July 1967) was the 6th Anglican Bishop of Auckland whose episcopate spanned a 20-year period during the middle of the 20th century.[1] Born in Staffordshire he was educated at St. Oswald's School, (later Ellesmere College, Ellesmere, Shropshire[2]) and Lichfield Theological College[3] before embarking on an ecclesiastical career with a curacy at Christ Church, Stafford.[4] Emigrating to New Zealand in 1911 he was successively Vicar of Wairoa, Private Chaplain to the Bishop of Waiapu and Archdeacon of Hawkes Bay/Manukau before appointment to the See of Auckland in 1940. He was consecrated bishop on 11 June 1940.[5] An enigmatic man,[6] he worked tirelessly to complete the building of Holy Trinity Cathedral.

In the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours, Simkin was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, for services to the community.[7]

References

  1. ↑ The Times, Friday, 10 June 1960; pg. 11; Issue 54794; col C Resignation of the Bishop of Auckland
  2. ↑ Davidson (ed.), Living Legacy: a History of the Diocese of Auckland, 208
  3. ↑ "Who was Who" 1897–1990 London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 0-7136-3457-X
  4. ↑ Parish details
  5. ↑ Order of ceremonial for the consecration of the Ven. William John Simkin, L.Th., Archdeacon of Manukau, as Bishop of the Diocese of Auckland: In the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary, Auckland, on the Feast of Saint Barnabas, June 11th, 1940 at 10 a.m. 1940.
  6. ↑ Diocesan Profile
  7. ↑ "No. 43669". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 12 June 1965. p. 5513.


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