Person

Watkin, Aelred

1918–1997

Saturday 10 May 1997: Abbot Aelred Watkin was one of the most loved and most respected monks in the Benedictine Order ... He was born Christopher Ingram Watkin in 1918 ... In 1962, having been a housemaster since 1948, Watkin proceeded to the Headmastership of Downside ... In 1989, having suffered a stroke, he returned to Downside, and was given the titular honour of Abbot of Glastonbury ... Christopher Ingram Watkin, monk: born 23 February 1918; clothed a monk 1937 as Dom Aelred; ordained priest 1943; FRHistS 1946; housemaster, Downside School 1948-62, Headmaster 1962-75; FSA 1950; FRSA 1969; parish priest, Beccles, Suffolk 1975-89; Mayor of Beccles 1979; titular Abbot of Glastonbury 1989-97; died Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset 2 May 1997