Phil Booth

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Phil Booth was born in England.

Biography

Birth

Philip Arthur Booth was born on 20 June 1913 at Croydon, Surrey, England. ^{[1] [2]}

Baptism

Philip Arthur Booth was baptised by full immersion, aged 24, on 18 July 1937 at Newark Baptist Church, 1, Albert Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire, England. ^[3]

Training

P A Booth A.C.S. qualified as an Associate Chartered Secretary in 1937 . The first mention in the [ICSA] yearbooks of the time of P A Booth is in the 1936-38 volume, indicating that he became an associate (ie passed the exams) in 1937. The address given is 37 Walbrook, London. In the 1938-39 yearbook, he is mentioned as living in Newark (no detail). There is no mention of him in the 1951 yearbook, nor in the 1955 one. Most other entries of that time included a full address and job title and company name but there is no such detail for this Mr Booth. ^[4]

Marriage

24 year old bachelor Chartered Secretary, Philip Arthur Booth of Knighton, 12 Hatton Gardens Newark, the son of Arthur Booth, a Linotype Operator, married 22 year old spinster, Miriam Gladys Ann Earl Simpson of 14, South Park Road Wimbledon, the daughter of Alan Hay Simpson, an Haulage Contractor, on 23 October 1937 at Tooting Junction Baptist Church, Longley Road, Wandsworth, London, England. ^[5]

Cooper and Co

On 23 October 1937, Phil was a Chartered Secretary (Company Secretary?), ^[5] working for Cooper and Company at Victoria Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire, England. Although best known for their quilted dressing-gowns, Coopers made a wide range of women's and men's wear. In a publicity brochure produced in the 1960s the company described itself as 'a specialist firm producing particularly glamorous and feminine garments. Quilted house and brunch coats, negligees, lounging trouser suits, smart smoking jackets for men - and whatever new ideas in relaxing wear that fashion dictates'. The business originated, however, with the production of a single garment, a humble workman's shirt. Early in the 19th Century, the owner of Freemans Drapery Warehouse at 46 Market Place, Newark, opened a small shirt factory in Portland Street. His shirts quickly found a market among Newark's workmen and Mr. Freeman soon realised that the profit from his factory far exceeded that of his drapery store. His decision to relinquish control of the retail business proved a wise one and by the middle of the century his Portland Street factory had diversified into producing a wide range of women's wear including tea gowns and underclothes. All were advertised as being styled to the latest French designs. Sales outlets were found among the biggest shops in London's West End and abroad, and by 1890 the cramped Portland Street premises were inadequate. A move to larger, purpose-built premises was required, and in March 1894 tenders were invited for the construction of a factory in Victoria Street. It opened in the summer and almost immediately the company's fortunes improved still further. Dressing-gowns were still only one element of their output but were already being described as the 'cream of the trade'. They were produced in a wide range of materials from cotton and lambs wool ripple cloth to Japanese silk, satin, crepe-de-chine and velvet. Coopers relied heavily on outworkers - mostly women - who undertook many of the basic manufacturing processes in their own homes. At that time the number of employees was 220. Six years later it had all but doubled to 420 with order books full for many months ahead. In fact demand for goods was said to exceed the company's ability to supply by 20%. The business continued to prosper for the next 60 years, becoming an integral part of Newark's light industrial base. It recruited workers straight from school and inspired a loyalty that caused many of them to stay with Coopers for most of their working lives. ^[6]

Family Life

Between 1937 and 1938, Phil and Mim Booth lived at Knighton, 12, Hatton Gardens, Newark, Nottinghamshire, England.

Between 1939 and August 1944, they lived at 57, Boundary Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, England.^[7] During this period, David Allenby and Lois Josephine were born.

Between August 1944 and 1945, Phil and Mim joined 'The Evangelical Publishing House' under the umbrella organisation, 'Worldwide Evangelization Crusade', living in a shared house: 'Bethel' 28, West Street, Colchester, Essex, England. 'Bethel' was on the outside of the corner at the top of West Street (there is a large flat-roofed building on that site now). It was a very big one with at least 3 storeys with an attic room where Phil, Mim, David and Lois lived - with beams across it, where Phil's first headbanging stories came from. In the grounds there was a conker tree. 'They' threw the conkers up into the attic room once! The house was owned by 'The Evangelical Publishing House', founded by Ken and Bessie Adams, (from Cornwall originally) who went on to found and head Christian Literature Crusade (CLC), emigrating to Toronto and then Philiadelphia, USA). ^{[8] [9]}

Christian Literature Crusade

CLC moved to 39, Ludgate Hill, London, England. Phil became the Overseas Secretary for CLC between 1945 and 1960. ^[8] 1946/7: "Because Switzerland had remained neutral in the war and was still actively producing books, Phil Booth could gather copies of Christian literature in German, French, Italian and other languages. These books, usually two or three of each title were the beginning of a multi-language reference library" [for CLC].^[10]

Between 1946 and 1948, their new home was at 32, Highland Road, Upper Norwood, London, England. ^[11]

Phil was booked to travel on the Llandovery Castle on 25 April 1950. His son, David recalls that he was taking a van to East Africa, fitted out by Uncle Bill Simpson for Bible and book distribution and the fitting of the van ran late. ^[12] He sailed from London on 15 May 1950 on the Dunnottar Castle of the Union Castle Line, bound for E.&S.Africa. He disembarked at Mombasa, Kenya. ^[13] He returned to London from Mombasa, Kenya on the Llanstephan Castle arriving on 21 December 1950.^[14]

On 18 December 1953, he left London for Bombay, India, this time on the Chusan. ^[15]

"Evangelical Literature Service (A ministry of CLC International) is a literature mission, a non-profit Inter-Denominational Christian organization dedicated to bringing Evangelical Literature to the people of the world in variety and volume, publishing in many languages, establishing book centers and operating book mobiles.

"In 1946 a bookshop was started in Chennai in a small rented room. That was the beginning of Evangelical Literature Service (A ministry of CLC International). God blessed the work and in 1954 ELS was registered in Chennai under the Societies Registration Act." (http://www.elsindia.org/about-us)

"CLC Britain had received a very special request from the young [CLC India registered under the title Evangelical Literature Service, as an Indian missionary society under the Society's Act] work in Indiia. Donald DAVID, the Indian, was asking permission to marry Ida HOWLETT,the young lady from Britain. ....After approximately six months of "testing," God's will for this couple was strengthened annd confirmed. In the light of their testimony the British staff gladly gave their permission for this union. When Phil Booth, the new British leader, was visiting India in 1954, he shared in the happy occasion." ^[16]

While away in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 1954, Fiona was born on 4th June. He said that when he heard the news that he had a daughter, he sat up and bumped his head on the top bunk. Having gone out 1st Class to India he came back Tourist Class - was that a mistake?! He arrived back at London on 12 June 1954, on the S.S. Canton. ^[17]

The following year, on 28 June 1955, he left Tilbury, London for Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on the S.S.Otranto. ^[18]

Family Life

Between 1949 and 1953, Phil and family lived at 34, Highland Road, Upper Norwood, London, England. ^[19]

They moved to 13, Harold Road, Upper Norwood, London, England in 1953. In June 1954, Mim gave birth to another daughter: Fiona Bernice.

Radio Worldwide

In 1961, living and working at 13, Harold Road, Upper Norwood, London, England, Phil and Mim founded a missionary radio organisation: Radio Worldwide. ^[20]

In 1969 they moved to 17, Highland Road, Upper Norwood, London, England and then, at the end of 1973 to 2, Forsyte Crescent, Upper Norwood, London, England.

On 16th November 1980, they moved to Hurchington Manor, Little Common Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, England to create a Training Arm of Radio Worldwide. ^[21].

Family Life

Mim died on 4 May 1986 at Bexhill Hospital, Bexhill, Sussex, England. ^[8]

On 23 April 1988, Philip Arthur Booth married Margaret Ann [Meg] Bustin at Hailsham, East Sussex, England. ^[8] They set up home at "Bem Vindo", 9, Station Road, Rossington, Yorkshire, England. ^[22]

Oral Communications

Ever the pioneer, Phil, together with Meg founded Oral Communications - providing battery tape players for pastors to take round their churches in the 'bush' in Portugese-speaking Burkina Faso, West Africa (Meg was fluent in Portugese). ^[22]

Death

Philip Arthur Booth died on 2 August 1992 at Doncaster, Yorkshire, England. His cremated remains were interred under a magnolia tree in the (then) grounds of WEC HQ Bulstrode Park, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, England. ^[22]

Sources

1. ↑ England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915: District: Croydon; Vol: 2a; Page: 731. Repository: #24.
2. ↑ England & Wales, Death Index: 1916-2007: District: Doncaster; Vol: 3; Page: 404. Repository: #24.
3. ↑ Newark Baptist Church Minute Book 1924-1947: pp.257-258. Repository: #31.
4. ↑ Email to John G Slee from Sheila Doyle, ICSA on 31 August 2010. Repository: #1.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Marriage Certificate. Repository: #1.
   Registration District: Wandsworth
   1937 Marriage Solemnized at Tooting Junction Baptist Church - Longley Road
   in the District of Wandsworth in the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth
   

   2	Twenty Third	Philip Arthur Booth	24 years	Bachelor	Chartered Secretary	Knighton, 12 Hatton Gardens Newark	Arthur Booth	Linotype Operator
   	October 1937	Miriam Gladys Ann Earl Simpson	22 years	Spinster	-	14, South Park Road Wimbledon	Alan Hay Simpson	Haulage Contractor

   Married in the Tooting Junction Baptist Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Baptists by Certificate
   

   This Marriage was	P.A.Booth	In the	F.E.Simpson : A.Booth	and in the	A.Wright
   solemnized between us,	M.G.A.E.Simpson	Presence of us	M.E.Booth : A.H.Simpson	Presence of	Authorised Person for the said Church

   I, Andrew Wright, Authorised person under the Marriage Act, 1898, do hereby certify that this is a true copy of the Entry No.2 in the Register Book of Marriages of the above-named Building.
   Witness my Hand this Twenty Third day of October, 1937. A.Wright.

6. ↑ Picture the Past
7. ↑ Nottinghamshire Electoral Roll - Newark. Repository: #31.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3} Lois Booth. Repository: #1.
9. ↑ emails from David Booth to John Slee: Repository: #1.
10. ↑ The Foolishness of God, Christian Literature Crusade, 1981, p.73.
11. ↑ London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965: Year: 1946; Borough: Lambeth; Division: Norwood. Repository: #24.
12. ↑ UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960: Class: BT26; Official Number:148678. Steamship Line:Union Castle; Where Bound:S.E.Africa. Repository: #24.
13. ↑ UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960: Class: BT26; Official Number: 164637. Repository: #24.
    

    Mombasa

    Booth Mr P.A

    36

    34 Highland Rd London S.E.19.

    Missionary

    1[England]

    England

14. ↑ UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960: Philip A BOOTH Incoming Passenger 21 DEC 1950 Name of Ship: S.S. "LLANSTEPHAN CASTLE"; Date of Arrival: 21st December, 1950. Steamship Line: The Union-Castle Mail Steamship Co., Ltd.; Whence Arrived: Cape Town via E. African and Mediteranean Ports. Repository: #24.
    

    Mombasa

    76

    BOOTH Philip A.

    34 Highland Rd. London, S.E. 19.

    Missionary

    England

    1[England]

15. ↑ UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960: Name of Ship:"CHUSAN"; Date of Departure:18th December, 1953. Steamship Line:P&O; Where Bound:YOKOHAMA. Name and Description of BRITISH Passengers embarked at the Port of LONDON. Repository: #24.
    

    Bombay

    BOOTH, Philip Arthur

    1st Class

    40 [Not accomp'd by wife]

    34, Highland Road, S.E.19.

    Secretary

    1[England]

    England

16. ↑ "The Foolishness of God", p.119.
17. ↑ UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960: P.A. Booth Incoming Passenger 12 JUN 1954
    Name of Ship: s.s.CANTON; Port of Arrival: LONDON; Date of Arrival: 12th June, 1954. Steamship Line:P.&O.S.N.COMPANY; Whence Arrived:HONG KONG. Repository: #24.
    

    Ceylon 373

    London

    Booth P.A.

    Trst

    40

    5 Harold Rd., London, S.E.19.

    Secretary

    Ceylon

    1[England]

18. ↑ UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960: Class: BT26. Repository: #24.
    Mr P A BOOTH Outward passenger 28 JUN 1955
    Name of Ship: S.S. "OTRANTO"; Date of Departure: 28TH JUNE, 1955. Owner or Agent: Orient Line; Where Bound: Australia. Names and Descriptions of BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND IRISH REPUBLICAN Passengers embarked at the Port of LONDON (TILBURY).
    

    14290

    BOOTH Mr. P.A.

    TI

    Sydney

    M

    20/6/13

    M

    5 Harold Road, London, S.E.19.

    Secretary

    England

    England

    Australia

19. ↑ London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965: Year: 1949-1953; Borough: Lambeth; Division: Norwood. Repository: #24.
20. ↑ Slim Fingers, Philip A Booth, Publisher: Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania 19034; 1976.
21. ↑ Herric's Tun, Philip A Booth
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1 22.2} John G Slee. Repository: #1.

Repositories

• 1: John G Slee
• 24: Ancestry
• 31: Nottinghamshire Archives, County House Castle Meadow Road Nottingham NG2 1AG

Acknowledgements

• Profile created by John Slee by reference to SleeBooth Family Tree