Greater Love - directory of Chaplains of the British Army...

[scotmum]

directory of Chaplains of the British Army, Australian, Canadian East African. New Zealand and South African Forces and Ministers of Religion
who gave their lives in the period 1914 – 1922.

Author: Revd. David T. Youngson


The Directory has a short Introduction on the role of the Army Chaplains’ Department during this period and contains biographical notes of 260 Clergy who lost their lives.

Included are details of Citations, causes of death, some photographs,
Indexes of Denominations, location of Cemeteries, and Academic Institutions attended.

A valuable resource for all World War One historians and family researchers.

An Appendix lists Clergy who were appointed by The United Board to serve on the Home Front.

This book was published in January 2008 and is available directly from the author. If anyone requires his contact details, please PM me and I shall be happy to supply same. I understand the cost is still £13.75 plus
Postage and Packing of £2.50 per Copy, but would advise you clarify this with the author.

[Currie]

Thanks Scotmum,

I can’t imagine a more difficult job than something like this, when the Men in the trenches are dying like flies, the Generals are sitting back playing their games and getting their buttons polished, while others such as the Front Line Chaplains were facing the dangers and cleaning up the mess.

This is a letter sent by one such Chaplain to the family of a relative of a relative of mine:

“France, 9/1/’18. Dear Mrs. ……….. , -- You will have heard already of the death of your son. It is with great regret that I think of the loss we have sustained in his death. I first met him on Sunday, 30th December. On that morning we had a small church parade, as a number of the men were up the line on fatigue. I announced that we would have Holy Communion in the evening instead of that morning, but if any there wished it specially in the morning and could not be present in the evening I would have a celebration of the Sacrament. He was the only one who waited, and as he seemed anxious to take Communion that day, and was going up to the line that afternoon, I took him along to my room, and we had the Lord’s Supper together. Afterwards I had a chat with him, and he gave me his home address. He gave me his next of kin as his mother. I have never read letters more brimming over with love and tenderness than the letter I have sent on to you (under separate cover), which was found on his body after death, also there is a pocket book with the same tender strain in his reference to his dear fiancee, and an album not long begun which I am sending by post. The pocket book, watch, ring and Testaments have been sent to headquarters, and you should have them in due course. If they do not arrive soon after this letter you should write to military headquarters enquiring of them. He left also some private effects, with Mrs. Bailey, No.4 Lunkelm street, Dover, Kent. I am writing to let them know your son went out on patrol on the night of Wednesday, 2nd January, and was hit with machine gun bullets in the head and stomach, and was killed instantly. His body was recovered immediately, and on Thursday morning was buried in the military cemetery near the battalion line. I was present and read the burial service. His comrades testify to his kindliness and fine bearing among them. He was a good soldier, and a promising life was lost when he was taken away. On behalf of our commanding officer, Lieut. Colonel Ralston, and the officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the 20th Battalion, I convey to you our deep sympathy in your bereavement. For the rest, I commit you to the great love of the Father that His love and compassion may guide and comfort you in all your life. –
Yours faithfully, Percival Hope, Presbyterian Chaplain, 20th Battalion, A.I.F.”

The following month, back home in Australia, a Memorial Service was held for the deceased Soldier and part of the newspaper report reads:

“The preacher paid a tribute to the worth of the deceased and the heroic conduct he had shown. At the end of his sermon he asked the young men present if any of them would be willing to avenge the death of the late corporal by enlisting.”

At a stage of the War when most people were sickened by the death and injury toll in Europe, when even the British Prime Minister was withholding reinforcements because of what his Generals were doing with them, this individual, a Minister of the Established Church, was promoting the basest of instincts and seemed quite keen to send any number of his Lambs to the Slaughter.

Perhaps this Minister, and others of like mind, should have been removed from his comfortable surroundings and fancy vestments and sent off to join Chaplain Percival Hope in the Mud and the Blood of the Trenches.

Alan

[joette]

Yep send some of the politicians too & I wonder if they would have carried on for so long.

My Grandfather served in both the Boer &WW1.He was badly injured & he was most impressed by the conduct of the German Doctor a POW who treated him after his leg was amputated & the German Priest who attended him too.This was another POW who was comforting his own men but when he saw how ill my Grandpa was comforted & looked after him.
Despite the fact tthat they were enemies my Grandpa held no personal grudges against the men he was fighting.
His opinion of Haig however is unrepeatable-on an open forum anyway!

[scotmum]

I am sure there are countless hidden stories such as the one you have shared with us Currie, so thank you for doing so. Food for thought for all of us.

[scotmum]

The following link is to an interesting newspaper article about the author and the book:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/misc/p ... id=1973327