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	February 2005
		Vale Brian Mattingley war hero, teacher, priest from Kay Webster
			With the death of Father Brian Mattingley at the turn of the year, the Diocese lost a remarkable priest. During the war he served as a navigator in Lancaster Bombers, surviving 36 missions when the average survival was 10 missions. He would say that Bomber Command had two types of airmen: those who said they were scared stiff and those who were liars! He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. After the was he returned to teaching and bacame a greatly respected Master at the Armidale School in NSW. His subjects ranged from Mathematics to Latin, and he became Deputy Headmaster and the 'Mr Chips' of that school. His educational achievements were considerable and were honoured by his being made a Fellow of the Australian College of Education. On retirement he returned to his family's old home at Bridport and was ordained priest by Bishop Robert Davies in 1981. He became a greatly-loved pastor over the whole of North- East Tasmania. Many people are now missing his close and warm friendship. He accepted the spiritual discipline of the priestly life just as he had the discipline of his war-time air crew responsibilities. His Requiem Mass at St Mark's, Bridport, was celebrated by his close friend, Father Kay Webster, who quoted Chaucer's description of the Parson in the General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales: He was a shepherd, and no mercenary Holy and virtuous he was, but he was Never contemptuous of sinfulness His business was to show a fair behaviour And draw men thus to heaven and their Saviour Christ and his twelve apostles and their lore He taught, but followed it himself before.