Appendix B

Rectors of Somerton

Start here: The complete list. For the stories behind the names, see The Good, the Bad & the Absent and The Rectory & Clergy.

Source: Index to the Parishes in the County of Oxford; British History online; C. of E. Database; Blomfield

1222 - Ralph (formerly official of the Archdeacon of Oxford)

1231 - John de Crakhall

1261 - Walter de Cotes

1290 - Robert Trevet (deacon)

1309 - Richard de Ellesfield (acolyte)

1316-49 - Richard de Gardinis

1349 - Thomas Bassat (D)

1349 - Robert de Apultr (acolyte) (D)

1361 - William de Merston

1377-92 - William de Gardinis

1392 - Robert de Wermingham

1397-? - Master Nicholas Hereford

1398 - Richard Clyfford

1401-18 - Robert Marying

1418-52 - John Aston (R)

1452-? - William Bragges

1479 - John Wright (R)

1496 - Thomas Humberstone

1504 - Robert Birche (D)

1537-52 - Robert King

1552 - Thomas Gardyner (C)

1558-59 - John Mitchell

1583-85 - Richard Harrys (C)

1615-33 - William Juxon LLB (C) - later Archbishop of Canterbury

William Juxon, Archbishop of Canterbury
William Juxon, Archbishop of Canterbury

1633-? - Thomas Walker DD (C)

1660-? - Miles Sandys

1664-? - Henry Walker

1665-1709 - Samuel Jemmatt

1713-19 - Edmund Marten/Martin LLB (R)

1719-24 - John Cobb LLD (D)

1724-28 - George Fletcher MA (R)

1728-69 - John Watson (D)

1769-1804 - Barfoot Cotton MA (D) - from 1769 to 1850 the Parish was considered too small and poor to support a resident Priest

1804-31 - Henry Wintle (C)

Revd Henry Wintle, Rector 1804-31
Revd Henry Wintle, Rector 1804-31

1831-61 - Robert Cox Clifton (D)

1861-75 - William Henry Price (C)

1875-1923 - George Edward Barnes (D)

Revd George Edward Barnes, Rector 1875-1923
Revd George Edward Barnes, Rector 1875-1923

1923-39 - G. L. Merchant (R)

Revd G.L. Merchant, Rector 1923-39
Revd G.L. Merchant, Rector 1923-39

1939-49 - T. V. Ruddock

Revd T.V. Ruddock, Rector 1939-49
Revd T.V. Ruddock, Rector 1939-49

1949-57 - W. P. Hares

Revd W.P. Hares, Rector 1949-57
Revd W.P. Hares, Rector 1949-57

1957-59 - F. W. Moyle

Revd F. W. Moyle, Rector 1957-59
Revd F. W. Moyle, Rector 1957-59

1959-81 - Clifford C. Rhodes (R)

Revd Clifford C. Rhodes, Rector 1959-81
Revd Clifford C. Rhodes, Rector 1959-81

1982-93 - Ven. John Hewitt Wilson (R) - former Chaplain-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force; Honorary Chaplain to the Queen

1993-2002 - Noel James

C = by cession; D = by death; R = by resignation. Date following name is date of Institution.

New Research, 2026

Added October 2026. Each item below has been checked against the source named with it. Where only a transcript or a later account has been seen, that is said.

A wartime rector in the RAF

Thomas Vigor Ruddock (1905-1961), rector here during the Second World War, also served as a chaplain in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, with the rank of squadron leader. The Westminster School archive, where he was a pupil, records this. It does not say where he served or when.

The same record gives his Somerton years as 1939-48 and has him as vicar of Ashley Green, near Chesham, from 1948. The list on this page says 1939-49. Which date is right is still to be settled.

Sources: Westminster School Archive, Ruddock, Thomas Vigor, 1905-1961.

Share a memory or correction

Did you grow up in Somerton, or does this article bring back a memory? Do you spot something that needs correcting or adding? Rosemary Arnold and Della Paviour would love to hear from you.

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