Rev Nettleship was a career soldier who took part in the Kohima and Imphal actions during WWII and was awarded the OBE for his part in the Irrawaddy crossings. Post-war service, which he spent in Malaya, Egypt and Germany before returning home, brought him the rank of Brigadier. He served in total for over 30 years, latterly as a Signals Officer in Chester.
At the age of 53 he decided to study for the ministry and attended St Augustine’s, Canterbury. He was ordained in 1963 and served as Curate at St Mark’s, Bilton (1962-65) before being appointed to Leek Wootton where he served until retirement in 1984.
Rev Nettleship was married to Mireille Deläide and they had two daughters who were 10 and 12 when the family moved into the vicarage.
He was remembered fondly by members of the community, not only as a compassionate pastor, but also as a genial character.
Mireille suffered long-term ill-health and died in 1978. Rev Nettleship died in 1984, shortly after his retirement, and his ashes were interred with Mireille in the Garden of Remembrance at All Saints’.
Vicars of Leek Wootton
Predecessor: James Cornes | Successor: Clive Raybould