OBITUARY

Fr. Francis Bird
Fr. Francis Bird, parish priest of Ionbridge. died on Thursday last week after a short and sudden illness. He was 56. Fr. Bird was educated for the priesthood at Wonersh. his studies being interrupted by a period of war service. He was ordained in 1923 and after further studies at the Bcda was appointed assistant priest at Canterbury in 1924. In 1927 he was appointed to the staff of St. Joseph's College, Mark Cross, in 193(1 assistant priest at Vauxhall. In 1934 he was appointed priest in charge of Effingham and parish priest in the following year. In 1940 he was appointed parish priest of Sutton Park and in 1947 parish priest at Tonbridge. For many years he was Editor of the Diocesan Ordo.
Bishop Cowderoy presided at the Requiem at Tonbridge on Monday.
Fr, Wulstan, 0.F.M.Cap.
Fr. Wulstan (Dobbins), 0.F.M.Cap., D.D.. M.A.. Guardian of Gresfriars, Oxford, died on May 27 after a long illness. Born in 1898. Edmund Dobbins entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order at Pantasaph in 1916, After distinguished studies at Oxford University and Rome he was ordained in 1929. For several Years he was a professor in the theological faculty of the English Capuchin Province, He held the office of Guardian at Crawley and twice at (ireyfriars. Oxford. During and after the late war hr served as Chaplain in the Royal Navy for seven and a half years, Interment tools place at the Franciscan Friary, Crawley. on Saturday. V. Rey. Fr. Dunstan. 0.F.M.Cap.. present Provincial of the English Capuchins and brother of the deceased. officiated. assisted by V. Rev, Er. Richard and V. Rev. Fr. Malachy, 0.F.M.Cap., both members of the governing hodv of th, Franciscan Province.