ALMOST unbelievably, 72 years after his death, fresh stories still comes to my ears of the remarkable generosity and loving care shown to Worcester people by the legendary Woodbine Willie.
From 1914 to 1922, the Rev Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy was vicar of what was then the Faithful City's poorest parish - St Paul's - and legion are the tales of his compulsive generosity to those suffering poverty and distress.
He would often give away the coat off his back and, most dramatic of all, was the day his wife arrived home to find he had given away their bed!
From St Paul's, the famous First World War padre moved with his wife and three sons to live at 46 Bromyard Road, which was to be his base for the last seven years of his life as he toured Britain on preaching and industrial mission assignments. He died in 1929, at the age of only 45.
The latest, and previously un-told tale of Woodbine Willie's caring self-sacrifice, comes from Maurice Thackeray of Newland Crescent, Rushwick, who, as a baby, had cause to be very grateful to Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy.
"I was only 10 months old at the time, but my parents were often to tell later of the events of Christmas Day, 1924 ,when our family home was in Watery Lane. As Christmas dinner was about to be served, I somehow fell on a knife which inflicted a deep gash in my forehead.
"My distraught parents, having no means of transport, wrapped me in a blanket and started to walk as fast as they could along Bromyard Road to get to the Royal Infirmary.
However, it seems that Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy was looking out of his front room window and spotted my parents' plight.
"Despite the fact that his wife was in the process of serving up his family's Christmas dinner, he dashed out, got his horse and trap and took us to the Royal Infirmary, where I apparently had several stitches inserted in my forehead.
"Over the next few days, Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy inquired how I was progressing.
"I know that my parents always felt deeply indebted to him for his care and kindness that Christmas Day," says Mr Thackeray.
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