The Revd Graham Thomas Corderoy: 1931-2025
'He is still remembered by chaplains from the RAF as a gentle, gracious man who was very supportive and had a calming influence'
On 15 April 1931 Graham Thomas was born to Thomas and Gladys Corderoy in Lambeth, London.
After relocating out of London during the war his first main Christian influence was while attending Aldeburgh Baptist Church, in Suffolk. In 1943 the family moved back to London and joined Earlsfield Baptist Church, where youth club, Boys Brigade and the minister the Revd Stanley Turl were hugely influential and resulted in believer's baptism.
Having completed his national service in the RAF he felt called to train for the ministry. So he applied and went to Manchester Baptist College in 1953.
After graduating Edna and Graham were finally able to get married on 6 July 1957.
Stepney Baptist Church in the centre of Kings Lynn, Norfolk was his first church ministry and where he and Edna welcomed the their first daughters, Lyn and Jan. It was at Stepney that he honed his craft of excellent pastoral care and deeply thoughtful, heartfelt preaching.
His call to the RAF chaplaincy came in 1961 and 26 years later culminated in him becoming Principal Chaplain of the Church of Scotland and Free Churches branch and ‘honorary Chaplain to the Queen’.
After just five months at St Athan in Wales his next posting was to RAF El Adam in Libya. Here he continued what was to become a key element of his ministry, his Christian duty to support the families of the church and local community. He managed to find a old hut and get it repaired and converted into a community hall, an early sign of challenges to come.
While in Libya the family continued to grow with the surprise arrival of the first set of twins, Philippa and Bridget. Further UK postings to RAF Swinderby in Lincolnshire, where twins number two, Jocelyn and Rachel come along. RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire, RAF Conningsby back in Lincolnshire, and RAF Brampton were alternated with three tours in Germany at Wildenrath, Bruggan and Rhinedahlen. His final RAF tour as Principal Chaplain saw him joining the commuters to his London office and undertaking official visits to stations around the world.
He is still remembered by chaplains from the RAF as a gentle, gracious man who was very supportive and had a calming influence, always able to maintain his sense of humour and have a ‘twinkle in this eye’. A fine Christian man, with a pastor’s heart.
He retired from the RAF and was called to the pastorate at Hutton and Shenfield Union Church, Essex in 1987. It soon became apparent that one of his major roles was looking to the future of the extensive buildings and their necessary refurbishment to make them truly fit for purpose. His vision inspired an amazing few years of community spirit and hard work, discussing, planning, raising funds, and building, culminating in many years of celebrations with creative festivals and events and the ongoing mission work for the local community.
In 1996 Graham retired from official ministry, though he continued to support the local churches for many years. He and Edna moved to Bury St Edmunds to enjoy exploring Suffolk, they found a church and continued to inspire and work hard with festivals and events.
Lyn Corderoy
At the age of 94 he passed away in July 2025 after a short time spent in hospital. Nearly full circle as he spent his final days back in Kings Lynn, after 68 years as a Baptist minister and with his much loved wife, Edna.