Paul Robert Carrington Abram
The Reverend Paul Abram | |
|---|---|
| Born | Paul Robert Carrington Abram 21 July 1936 York, England |
| Died | 28 September 2023 (aged 87) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Hymers College |
| Alma mater | Keble College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Anglican priest |
| Years active | 1962–2006 |
| Title | Chaplain of the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula |
| Spouse | Joanna Thompson (m. 1961) |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | MVO (2007) |
Paul Robert Carrington Abram (21 July 1936 – 28 September 2023) was a British Anglican priest whose forty-year ministry ranged from parachuting with Airborne troops as the British Army's celebrated "parachuting padre" to serving Elizabeth II as Chaplain and priest-in-charge of the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London. A preacher and pastor, he combined a field ministry with parish, maritime and royal chaplaincies, and in 2007 was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order for personal services to the Sovereign.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Abram was born in York, the eldest of five children of the Revd Robert Abram, an Army chaplain, and his wife, Margaret.[2] Wartime postings took the family to Egypt, Aldershot and Germany, giving him a peripatetic childhood. He first attended Hymers College, Hull, aged nine and, after further schooling abroad, returned there in 1954 to complete his A-levels, becoming head of Brandesburton House and an under-officer in the Combined Cadet Force.[2]
Offered a place at Keble College, Oxford, he deferred to fulfil National Service with the East Yorkshire Regiment, commissioning as a lieutenant and qualifying as a military parachutist. He matriculated at Keble in 1957, reading Geography and Law, and completed his MA in 1960. Theological formation at Chichester Theological College followed; he was ordained deacon in 1962 and priest in 1963.[3]
Career
[edit]Abram served his title post as Assistant Curate of Christ Church, Redcar (1962–65).[4] In May 1965, he rejoined the Army as a Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class, beginning a 24-year career with the Royal Army Chaplains' Department.[4] Attached to 3 PARA from 1966, he accompanied the battalion to Australia, Libya, Malta and Cyprus, ultimately logging at least 78 parachute jumps and rising to Assistant Chaplain-General.[3]
Leaving the Army in 1989, Abram became Vicar of Holy Trinity, Salcombe, Devon (1989–96).[4] He spearheaded a long-standing appeal to provide the church with its first ring of bells.[5] Concurrently, he was chaplain to the Mission to Seafarers (1989–2000) and its successor charity (2000–23), ministering to crews in South-West ports.[4]
In 1996, Abram was appointed Chaplain of St Peter ad Vincula at HM Tower of London and Deputy Priest-in-Ordinary to the Queen, posts he held for a decade.[4] He conducted services in the White Tower, advised the Yeoman Warders, and welcomed veterans and royal visitors alike until retiring in 2006.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Abram married Joanna (“Jo”) Thompson at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 1961; the couple had four daughters.[6] After retiring he lived in Kimpton, Hampshire, and later Odiham, remaining active in Airborne Forces pilgrimages until ill-health intervened. He died of cardiac failure on 28 September 2023, aged 87.[4][7]
Honours
[edit]- Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO), 2007 Birthday Honours, for personal services to the Sovereign.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Abram, Rev. Paul Robert Carrington, (21 July 1936–28 Sept. 2023), a Deputy Priest in Ordinary to the Queen, 1996–2007; Chaplain of the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London, 1996–2007".
- ^ a b Bastiman, Victoria (11 October 2023). "Rev Paul Abram, OH 1945, 1954-55". Old Hymerians. Hymers College. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Eulogy for Reverend Paul Abram MVO MA". Paradata. Airborne Assault Museum. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Deaths: Abram". Church Times. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "Bells strike sour note". The Times. 17 June 1995. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ a b "The Rev Paul Abram, parachuting padre who was later chaplain to the Tower of London – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "The Reverend Paul Abram obituary". The Times. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "The Record 2007" (PDF). Keble College. 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2025.