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Born in 1883, Lionel Nurse O’Neal was Bob and Selina’s first child. He was known to his family and friends as Pat, though he always signed correspondence as Lionel. Pat later adopted a new spelling of his middle name, to reflect the change of name of the long-time family friends who altered their surname from Nurse to Nourse.
Born in 1883, Lionel Nurse O’Neal was Bob and Selina’s first child. He was known to his family and friends as Pat, though he always signed correspondence as Lionel. Pat later adopted a new spelling of his middle name, to reflect the change of name of the long-time family friends who altered their surname from Nurse to Nourse.
The railway industry dominated in Derby in the second half of the nineteenth century, so it is no surprise to see that in the first census of the 20th century (dated 1901) both he and his Father listed their occupation as “Railway Clerk”.
Pat O'Neal Ministry training and early placement
Pat O'Neal Ministry training and early placement
Pat started his ministry training at St Boniface missionary College, Warminster. This college was founded by Rev. James Erasmus Philipps, whose family were interested in missionary work. The original intention was to train boys and young men, who had little previous education but were capable of becoming good workers. Later on the aim was to train them for entry into missionary colleges, both at home and abroad. The Mission House was formally opened on October 5th 1860 with 10-12 students in a house near the church. By 1871 the range of education offered had grown considerably and the name was changed to St. Boniface College. In the same year the students built a corrugated iron chapel, which was enlarged by students in 1909. I don’t know, but possibly Pat was amongst the students involved in this.
St Boniface Missionary College, Warminster
Original Media Location: Warminster History Society
Pat moved to Perth, Australia to complete his training. This is completely in line with the intentions of the college as described. He apparently went with a friend, Edward Phillips, also from St Boniface, as can be seen in the following article which announces their ordination:
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Friday 24 February 1911, page 4
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Pat returned to England in August 1913. For a brief time he was vicar at St George the Martyr Parish Church in Redditch - who knows, he may have known the Peaky Blinders!
Picture courtesy of Google Maps
The eagle-eyed may have noticed in the above directory, that there is also an Arthur O’Neal listed, immediately after Pat. I have no knowledge of who this was, and do not believe him to be related, in spite of the unusual spelling of O’Neal.
Pat and Dot were survived by three sons, Norman Peter George (Peter), Ronald Ean (Ronnie) and Richard Anthony Hugh (Tony).
Pat died on 9 April 1940, aged just 56. This was on his youngest son, Tony’s 12th birthday. I remember my Uncle Tony reflecting that he was really affected by this.
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