SHANNON, William Floyd, Rev, O.B.E. E.D. B.A. (1872-1950)
Assembly memorial minute, 1951
William Floyd Shannon was born near Market Hill, County Armagh, Ireland. He took the degree of Bachelor of Arts at the Royal University of Ireland. In 1896, he was ordained at Scotstown, County Monaghan, Ireland. In 1902, he came to Australia and occupied charges in three States — Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria. He served in Western Australia for nineteen years, being inducted into Leederville in 1902, translated to Midland Junction in 1905, thence to Geraldton in 1907 and finally to Maylands in 1915.
In 1921, he resigned Maylands and proceeded to South Australia, in which State he served for twelve years, as minister at Unley. Coming to Victoria in 1934, he was inducted into Stratford in December. He remained here for nearly ten years, before being translated to Rochester on 6th July, 1944. He died on 6th May, thus completing 54 years of active ministry. At the time of his death he was, by many years, the longest ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church in Victoria.
He took an active part in the wider work of the Church, being Moderator of the Assembly in Western Australia, Moderator of the South Australian Assembly, Clerk of the Assembly of South Australia, Clerk of the Presbytery of Adelaide (1922 to 1934) and Clerk of the Presbytery of Gippsland (1941 to 1944). But his work as chaplain brought him into highest prominence. While minister at Maylands, he went overseas, in 1915, as Chaplain of the A.I.F., and became attached to the First Australian General Hospital and later to the Third Australian Hospital, in which capacity he went to England and then to France. On 29th July, 1917, he was appointed Senior Chaplain in succession to the Rev. J. Crookston, with headquarters in London. On the 12th December, 1918, at Buckingham Palace, he was invested by King George V with the Order of the British Empire.
He returned to Australia early in 1920, and demitted his charge at Maylands in May, 1921. He was appointed Chaplain General by the General Assembly of Australia in May, 1926, in succession to the Rev. Dr. J.L. Rentoul. In 1936, after 20 years’ Military Service, he was awarded the Australian Efficiency Decoration — E.D. In 1942, he resigned as Chaplain General, after 26 years’ service. As Chaplain he marked his labours with great thoroughness, his kindly, friendly and unassuming demeanour winning the affection of all his brother chaplains.
As a man and minister, Mr. Shannon was greatly beloved. The measure of appreciative friendship shown by him was richly returned. His pulpit prayers were most impressive, breathing a spirit of holy intimacy which was possible only in one who was indeed a man of prayer. The innermost heart of Mr. Shannon is revealed in a beautiful poem written by him — “Be near me, Lord”.
Be near me, Lord, when at my daily toil
I am unconscious of Thy watchful eye;
Let no unfaithfulness my labour spoil,
But help me work as though I felt Thee nigh.
Be near me, Lord, when men may praise or blame;
If only Thee I please, I need not care.
Keep me from all desire for name or fame;
Make me esteem Thy smile beyond compare.
Mrs. Shannon died a good many years ago. Maybe, memory of her inspired this verse:—
Be near me, Lord, when those I love depart, When dearest treasures pass and leave me sad;
Thou knowest just how much it wounds my heart — But Thou can’st help — yea, even make me glad.
As a Presbyter he was a wise councillor, drawing upon a wealth of long and rich experience. A natural and quiet humour helped to commend his views and advice.
He died at his Manse in Rochester on the 6th May, 1950.
His daughter Eileen was his devoted help and comfort for many years and right to the end. To her and her brother the Assembly tenders its sincerest sympathy.
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