Papers of Rev Canon Ernest Walter ('Rufus') Francis, Bible Churchmen's Missionary Society missionary

Rev Francis was an Anglican clergyman and missionary with the Bible Churchmen's Missionary Society (BCMS). He was stationed at Paletwa, Burma with his wife, Mrs Eileen W. Francis, who was also a BCMS missionary, November 1938-January 1965.

This collection relates to the time Rev and Mrs Francis spent in Burma, as well as the work they continued when they returned to the UK. Rev Francis in particular undertook extensive work to facilitate the translation of religious texts into the local language of Khumi-Chin, including the New Testament and the Holy Communion service, and a substantial part of this collection relates to this translation work, and numerous publications in Khumi-Chin are included.

The collection contains Rev Francis' detailed mission station journals; BCMS correspondence; correspondence regarding the publication of religious texts in Khumi-Chin; copies of publications and pamphlets in Khumi-Chin; bible notes and papers written by Rev Francis and by Pramaung and Len Vai; historical accounts of Khumi mission work; slides; publications owned by Rev Francis, and other miscellaneous items.

The date range and continuity of the mission station journals and other records held in this collection, and the nature of topics covered, make them a valuable source for studies of anthropology, the progress of Christianity and 20th century history of Burma as well as the work of the BCMS in Burma. This collection would also be a great resource for researchers studying Khumi-Chin translation work.

Rev Canon Ernest Walter 'Rufus' Francis (1908-2004) was an Anglican clergyman and missionary with the Bible Churchmen's Missionary Society (BCMS) now 'Crosslinks'. He was stationed at Paletwa, Burma with his wife, Mrs Eileen W. Francis, who was also a BCMS missionary, November 1938-January 1965. Their daughter, Ann Margaret, was born at Bareilly, United Provinces, India January 1945. During World War II, the Francis evacuated the mission and left for India; Rev Francis worked as interpreter and labour officer attached to the military in Chittagong and Burma with 5/9 Jats November-December 1943, 82 West African Infantry Division December 1943-February 1944, the 7/16 Punjabis February-March 1944, the Tripura Rifles March-April 1944 and V Force April-June 1944 (all dates approximated by Rev Francis) before taking up a chaplaincy in Lucknow Diocese until the end of February 1945. From early 1945 to February 1946, Rev Francis worked in Burma with the C. A. S. B. Welfare Unit after which he returned to India for his family and thence back to England on furlough, arriving back in Paletwa 4 May 1947. Rev Francis left the mission January 1965 and the family sailed for England [in April 1965] after Mrs Francis was refused a visa to re-enter Burma.

Rev Pat M. Ryley (b 1930) was accepted as a BCMS missionary April 1959; he set sail for Paletwa to join the Burma Mission October 1960 where he was joined by Anne (nee Meynell) after their marriage in 1963; their son, Timothy, was born 1964.

Sources: the records; information supplied by the donor; Crosslinks website accessed 24 August 2011 http://www.crosslinks.org and records of the Bible Churchmen's Missionary Society (MS47 box 29).

Certain records are closed for 50 years from the date of creation. Items, where closed, are indicated as such at file or item level.

Presented by a descendant of Rev Canon Francis in 2011 and 2013.

Please see full catalogue for more information.

Photostat and digital copies are held by the donor.

Catalogued by I. Frlan and J. Childs.

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Director of Special Collections (email: special-collections@contacts.bham.ac.uk). Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Special Collections will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.

Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections holds the official records of the Bible Churchmen's Missionary Society (GB 0150 MS47).