Joseph John Booth

Joseph John Booth (1886 - 1965) was the 7th Archbishop of Melbourne. Born on 26 May 1886 and educated at the University of Melbourne he was ordained priest in 1914 [“Who was Who” 1897-1990 London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 071363457X] . His first post was as a Chaplain to the Forces during The Great War. When peace came he became Vicar of Fairfield, Victoria followed by a period as Archdeacon of Dandenong. From there he rose rapidly in the church hierarchy becoming Coadjutor bishop of Melbourne (taking the courtesy title of" Bishop of Geelong" [The Times, Friday, Sep 14, 1934; pg. 11; Issue 46859; col B New Coadjutor Bishop of Melbourne] ) and often deputised for the Archbishop [The Times, Saturday, May 04, 1935; pg. 10; Issue 47055; col G Bishop of Geelong to deputise for Archbishop of Melbourne ] . Booth finally acceded to the Melbourne See in 1942 [The Times, Monday, Nov 01, 1965; pg. 12; Issue 56467; col G Most Rev. J. J. Booth ] . Further wartime service with the "Allied Invasion Forces" [Booth was Deputy Assistant Chaplain-General “Who’s Who”(Ibid)] provided an unusual start to an Episcopate although the last decade of his service was somewhat less eventful. He retired in 1956, and died on 30 October 1965.

Notes