Rev J. U. N. Bardsley, Vicar of Lancaster: a dedicated League of Nations advocate
Lancaster Guardian 14 Jul 1928
Rev. Joseph Udell Norman Bardsley, the Lancaster League of Nations Union (LNU) Branch’s second President was born at Whitechapel, London, where his father was a clergyman. (1) He came from a well-to-do home and went to St. Paul’s School before going to Caius College, Cambridge. He took orders and was appointed Rector of Ulverston in 1896, moving to Lancaster in 1909. He and his wife lived in comfortable circumstances. His son fought in France as an officer in the War. (2) As a churchman he was described as a gifted preacher with a vigorous personality and encouraging of co-operation among the various churches, qualities which were also important in promoting the ideals of the League of Nations in a local community.
Rev. Bardsley was involved with the Lancaster LNU from its start in 1920. He was appointed as a Vice-President in 1921, remaining one until he became Chairman in 1925. While clearly supporting the branch actively before taking its lead, in the years that he was Chairman and then, briefly, President after the resignation of Lord Richard Cavendish in 1928, the branch concerned itself seriously with the activities as well as the ideals of the League of Nations. In 1926, Rev. Bardsley himself framed a resolution concerning Germany’s admission to the League and also gave a powerful sermon in front of the ‘Peace Pilgrims.’ The next year he instituted a campaign in Lancaster on behalf of the LNU’s Disarmament Proposals. When he died suddenly in 1928, warm tributes were paid to him for his work.
References/Further Reading:
(1) Ancestry. 1881 Census Return, Finchley.
(2) Ancestry. Cambridge University Alumni 1261-1900.
Lancaster Guardian, 14 Jul 1928, 19 Mar 1921, 13 Mar 1926, 5 Jun 1926 & 21 Apr 1928.