Cyril, the youngest son of Dr James Unsworth, of Blackrod, near Wigan, was born on December 28th, 1900. He came to school at Ampleforth in 1911. His career was not marked by scholastic triumphs, though he was of quite average ability, and entered with zest into all departments of school life, especially into athletics. As the War years went on and he was nearing the age of eighteen, the prospect of army service must have been prominently before him. Far from flinching from it, his character was such that he would gladly have served his King and Country; but when the armistice came he was able to turn his thoughts to the monastic life, which had already attracted him, and in September, 1919, he entered the novitiate at Ampleforth, among the first set of post-war novices, and the first to make their novitiate at Ampleforth since 1860, when St Michael's Priory, Belmont, was established as the common novitiate of the English Congregation.
The chief events in the early years of monastic life were the same for Brother Vincent as they are for all, the making of temporary and then of solemn vows, and the reception of the orders that lead up to the priesthood. But they are years of vital importance, for it is then that the principles are assimilated that are to tell in all one's future work. Brother Vincent spent two years at St Benet's Hall, Oxford, and obtained a Diploma in Geography. On St Lawrence's Day, 1927, he was ordained priest at Ampleforth, and then began what promised to be a long and useful career of work in the School. He was thoroughly interested in his work, when after little more than a year, there came a great call of obedience.
In making provision for the parishes under his care, Father Abbot sent Dom Vincent to St Anne's Priory, Liverpool, on October 5th, 1928. To the young priest it was a great and unexpected change, but he was never heard to repine at it. He accustomed himself to new work and new surroundings, and laboured very earnestly for souls for nearly six years, a true monk-priest. His preaching was earnest and effective, but it was his personal guidance and ministrations that will be most gratefully remembered. He was untiring in his care of the sick, and there are many of the poor who hold his name in benediction, than which no priest could desire a better testimony to aid him when he renders an account of his stewardship.
Last May Dom Vincent was transferred to St Mary's Priory, Cardiff and he had been there only a short two months when he met with the terrible accident which caused his death. His friends had given him a motor bicycle; he bought it in the morning, set out to give an instruction to some children in an outlying district and, as he was returning, was killed early in the afternoon. As in the case of most accidents, there is no clear explanation of it. He was experienced as a motorist, and had often ridden a motor-cycle before. He was picked up dreadfully injured, taken to hospital and he lived just long enough for a priest to anoint him. Fortunately he cannot have had the consciousness to feel his other injuries, as his skull was fractured. He died on July 24th, and was buried among his brethren at Ampleforth on July 27th.
The news came as a severe shock to all who knew and revered him. To be cut off so suddenly, at the early age of three and thirty, may appear to some an unmitigated tragedy. But surely to those who believe, there is consolation in the thought that the Divine Master knows the moment at which to call His own. To those who are ready, and who are engaged in the Master's work, a swift call may be a special grace and there is something beautiful in a young priest being summoned home in the midst of his labours, in the prime of his health and strength.
To his father and family, we tender the assurance of our deepest sympathy in their heavy loss. For him who has been taken, the tragic circumstances and the suddenness of the call will ensure that our prayers are all the more earnest and persevering. May he rest in peace!
CYRIL VINCENT UNSWORTH 24 July 1934
1900 28 Dec Born Blackrod
1911-19 Educ Ampleforth
1919 29 Sep Habit at Ampleforth Abbot Smith
1920 30 Sep Temporary Vows
1923 1 Oct Solemn Vows
1924 2 Nov Tonsure & Minor Orders
1925 4 Oct Subdeacon Bishop Shine
1926 26 May Deacon " "
1927 10 Aug Priest " "
1922 Oct to July 1924 Studied at Oxford Diploma in Geography
1924-28 $$ Theology & teaching in the school
1928 5 Oct Assistant at St Anne's Liverpool
1934 May Assistant at St Mary's Cardiff
24 Jul Died after a motor accident at Cardiff