William WYNN JONES

WYNN JONES, WILLIAM (BILL) (b. Swansea, Wales, 10 Nov 1900; d. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 29 May 1950). Bishop of Central Tanganyika.

Bill Wynn Jones was the youngest son of Matthew Tertius Jones, industrial engineer. He was educated at Queens College, Taunton. At the age of 18 he accepted the invitation of the Rev George Chambers (q.v.) to come to Australia. In Sydney he matriculated from Trinity Grammar School to Sydney University, (BA 1922, MA 1927) where he took a prominent part in the EU. In 1921 he joined the staff of Trinity as house and sports master. Ordained deacon in 1925, and priest 1926, he was appointed curate at Holy Trinity, Dulwich Hill, where he was very involved in the Boy Scout movement. In 1927 he joined CMS for missionary service in Central Tanganyika under Bp Chambers, becoming principal of Kongwa Theological College. He married Ruth Minton Taylor, a staff member of Mvumi Girls School in 1933. In 1934 he was appointed the first headmaster of Arusha European School, then chancellor of the diocese in 1941, assistant bp 1947 and second bp of central Tanganyika in 1948, attending Lambeth Conference in that year. An Honorary Lambeth DD was conferred May 1949.

Before William Wynn Jones's premature death it was encouraging to note the growth of the indigenous Anglican Church, and his ability to promote its growth alongside an independent agricultural groundnut enterprise. His ecumenical spirit enabled the church to promote its continuing presence in the African Schools.

Triangles (Trinity Grammar School), 1986, 1988; Tanganyika Standard 30 May 1950

RICHARD KENNETH JONES