Austin Hodson

Augustine John Hodson (called Austin;[1] 6 May 1879 – 28 January 1961)[2] was the first Bishop of Tewkesbury (suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Gloucester) from 1938[3] until his resignation in 1955.[4]

Son of John and Annie, Hodson was educated at Lichfield Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford. He studied for ordination at St Stephen's House, Oxford, and never married.[5]

He was made deacon in 1906 and ordained priest in 1908, serving his curacy at All Saints', Cheltenham. Between 1911 and 1915 he was Assistant Missioner to the Gloucester Diocesan Mission before serving Leckhampton as curate-in-charge (1915–1921);[5] during the latter he was also a temporary chaplain[6] (1918–1920). He had been interviewed by the Chaplain-General in July 1918, was described as 'Dark, keen... good' and sent to France to work in a Casualty Clearing Station.[7] Before he was demobilised, it was reported, 'Has done good work as hospital chaplain in spite of rather poor health'.[8] He moved in 1921 to become Vicar of Chalford, then of Wotton-under-Edge from 1924.[5]

Hodson departed Wotton in 1934 to become a canon residentiary of Gloucester Cathedral, in which post he remained until death. During that time, he was Archdeacon of Gloucester (1938–1948) and Bishop of Tewkesbury — the first suffragan bishop of the diocese (1938–1955).[5] He was consecrated a bishop on 24 February 1938[9] and retired the See in 1955.[5] His younger brother was Robert, Bishop suffragan of Shrewsbury.[10]