Spiritual Work Among N.Z Troops

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1941, Page 2

Spiritual Work Among N.Z Troops

Secret operations in Greece meant moves and changes at short notice. Evacuation meant some losses of material.

Spiritual and social work has had to follow methods adapted to the swiftly changing conditions of modern war which seldom work out in accordance with expectation, states the Right Rev. Bishop G. V. Gerard, Senior Chaplain with the New Zealand Forces Overseas.

When devoid of all but a rucsack I spent several happy, and I hope profitable, days in a truck with a small but homely group ‘of soldiers, travelling by night and usually taking cover by day. Many divine services were held with small groups where larger numbers could not be assembled. Holy Communion was celebrated in many places for these small numbers especially at the Easter season, when troops were often busily engaged and services were sandwiched in between operations. Altar On Stonfe Cn one occasion my altar cloth was just placed on a stone amongst the scrub, while all the members of a gun’s crew gathered around amidst their camouflage, which was at the time most important tb them and others dependent upon them, for the concealment of their post.

In Greece I called upon a Greek Archbishop who stated that, by virtue of my office, no further- introduction would be needed in asking leave to use parish churches. Unfortunately the Boschebcmbed us during the afternoon, though ineffectively, and I got no chance to make further Icontact before we left the locality. Several clergy, however, had some beautiful services and in one town the priest and his congregation housed a whole ambulance and its wounded in the church, bringing all kinds of gifts and comforts for the sufferers, j Chaplains Help During the campaign all benefited; by the rucsacks, primus stoves, etc, purchased by the Patriotic Funds in Egjypt and also by the excellent courses of first-aid instructions arranged by medical officers when at base. In the field, it is not uncommon for a chaplain to see a man hit,; apply dressings, help carry stretchers, 1 assist in digging graves and conduct immediate burials before a column' has to move off rapidly to a spot

miles away. In Egypt, we got repairs done to a reclaimed car, secured from the Aus- 1 tralians after it had been “shot up” j in the Western Desert. This served a i much-felt want. . j The Church Army Hut will be) cnened by the New Zealand Prime Minister this week. I regard it os ’ the most pleasing building in any of our camps. Thousands of soldiers have just occupied the surrounding, area and the hut is opened at exact- j ly the right moment. < Mrs Chapman has asked my advice j and that of the Senior Presbyterian j Padre about an altar and sanctuary j for incorporation in the Lowry Hut j and I think we shall have something} very appropriate. This will be a fire! building in a different locality from j our hut. i