PRIEST AND GOOD "SPORT."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIX, Issue 248, 19 October 1915, Page 2

PRIEST AND GOOD "SPORT."

"Writing of chaplains, "Troouer Bluegum" in 'the Sydney Morning Herald says: In the training camps in Australia the chaplains conducted services, helped at concerts, and generally made themselves useful. On the transports they did pretty much the same thing, but somehow we never seemed to know them, and they, in

turn, knew very few of us by name. It was when we settled down in Egypt that wo first began to know*" them, and to appreciate their work. And since Cairo has the reputation of being, the wickedest city in the world,, there was ample scope for the operations of the chaplains. But one of the chaplains had adamantine ideason theological subjects. He was agreat scholar, and he had other virtues, but his conscience would not lot him participate in tho combined services with the other ministers. So when we came away to thrash the Turk we left him behind in Egypt. In his stead we took an Irishman— Father Bergin. Ho Avas a good sport, a good priest, brave as a lion, andT gentle as a nurse with wounded soldiers. His only fault was that he always wanted to be- right up in the firing line, for he dearly loved a "scrap"—being Irish. When the sth Light Horse Regiment had their fight near Gaba Tepe. Father "Mike" wa,s everywhere tending the wounded, and as a water-carrier he rivalled! Gunga Din. Those of us who werenot of the "faithful" learned to like him mora and more, and if the war lasts much longer I fear we'll all be"Romans."