Oliver Tristram CORDELL

CORDELL, OLIVER TRISTRAM (b. Lithgow, NSW, 11 Nov 1900; d. Sydney, NSW, 9 July 1981). Missionary and Bible translator.

As a boy and master at Trinity Grammar School, Summer Hill, NSW, Cordell came under the influence of the school's founder, G A Chambers (q.v.). Cordell followed Bp Chambers to Africa, where he served as a CMS missionary until his return to Australia in 1963. He was an able teacher and administrator, becoming archdeacon of Central Tanganyika 1950-56, in which office he ministered with great acceptance. His chief accomplishment, however, was to complete work begun by German scholars on a syntax of Chigogo, the principal lingua franca of East Africa. No translation of the Scriptures had been embarked upon in the East African vernaculars, so this was the best means of reaching large numbers of people in a language they readily understood. For twenty years, Cordell gave his spare time to translation of the OT into Chigogo and revision of the NT. The whole Bible was then published by the BFBS. For this great work Cordell was made a Life Governor of the Society. On his return to Australia, Cordell resumed his initial vocation of teaching, and on his retirement in 1969 conducted locum tenancies in Sydney parishes for several years.

Gentle, humble, hard-working and unassuming, Oliver Cordell was a man whose spiritual qualities and achievements for the Gospel earned the respect and admiration of all those with whom he worked.

The Triangle Magazine of Trinity Grammar School, 1986

STUART BRAGA