William Bretton
Anglican dean
About William Bretton
Lived 1909 – 1971 (aged 62). William Bretton was a New Zealand curate.
William Frederick Bretton (2 May 1909 – 4 November 1971 ) was the Dean of Nelson from 1957 until 1970.
Bretton was educated at Downing College, Cambridge and ordained in 1935. His first posts were curacies in Watford and Sparkhill. He was Vicar of St Cuthbert Birmingham from 1939 to 1942, and then St John the Evangelist, Sandown. Moving to New Zealand he held incumbencies in Johnsonville and Lower Hutt before his appointment as Dean.
In 1953, Bretton was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.
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Important facts
People in William Bretton's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Bretton's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Bretton?
Anglican dean (1909-1971)
When was William Bretton born?
William Bretton was born on 2 May 1909.
When did William Bretton die?
William Bretton died on 4 November 1971.
What was William Bretton's occupation?
William Bretton was a curate.
What nationality was William Bretton?
William Bretton was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Bretton. https://biography.guide/william-bretton/
MLA: "William Bretton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-bretton/.
Chicago: "William Bretton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-bretton/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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