BROWNING, Berthold Alexander

1868 - 1957

Berthold Alexander Browning was born at Walmer, Kent on 5 August 1868, third son of Montague Charles Browning (2 February 1837-9 December 1905), a captain in the 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers, and his wife Fanny Allen née Hogg (11 October 1841-10 July 1929), who married at Fornham St Mary, Suffolk in 1862 and were of Brantham Court, Manningtree, Essex. In 1871, the Browning's with three of their sons, Francis Arthur (1864-1893), Berthold Alexander 4 and newly born Frederick Henry (1870-1929), were on holiday at the Bath Hotel, Felixstowe, Suffolk, they had an elder son Admiral Sir Montague Edward Browning (1863-1947). Bertold was educated at Winchester and Christ Church, Oxford, graduating B.A. and took holy orders. He married at Hamerton, Huntingdonshire on 12 June 1900, Margery Frances Agnes Thomas (12 September 1879-25 March 1962), youngest daughter of the Revd Daniel George Thomas of Hamerton Rectory, and the following year Berthold was living at Skelmanthorpe Vicarage, Yorkshire with his 21-year-old wife. By 1906, he was back in Suffolk and in 1911, the 42-year-old rector of Stratford St Mary, Suffolk, living at the Rectory with his three sons Hubert Allen 8, born in London, Martin 5 and Denys 4, both born at Stratford St Mary. Berthold was vicar of Pakenham, Bury St Edmund's, Suffolk 1929-1938 during which time was a member of the Ipswich Art Club 1936-1937, exhibiting from Pakenham in 1937, a watercolour 'Stresa'. In 1939, a retired priest, living at London Road, Wantage, Berkshire with wife Margery and one domestic servant. Berthold Alexander Browning died at The Homestead, Blewbury, Didcot, Berkshire on 26 November 1957, aged 89 and his wife, of Little Court, Fornham All Saints, Bury St Edmund's died at Weather Hill Farm, Icklingham, Suffolk on 25 March 1962, aged 82. He was the author of 'The Lord's Remembrancers. A book of Intercession' (1929).