CHURCH WORK IN WAR

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXXI, Issue 9640, 27 June 1941, Page 4

CHURCH WORK IN WAR

ACTIVITIES AMONG MEN OVERSEAS

SENIOR CHAPLAIN’S REPORT SERVICES HELD IN THE FIELD “Secret operations in Greece meant moves anil changes at short notice. Evacuation meant some losses of material. Spiritual and social work had to .follow methods adopted to the swiftly-changing conditions of modern war which seldom work out in accordance with expectation,” slates the Rt. Rev. Bishop G. V. Gerard, senior chaplain with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas, in a report to the Church of England Military Affairs Committee. The report is dated May 27.

DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME

“When devoid of all but a rucksack, 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,” continues the Bishop in his report. “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. On one occasion my altar cloth was just placed on a stone amongst the scrub while a whole gun’s crew gathered around amidst their camouflage, which was at the time most important to 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 will be needed in asking leave to use parish churches. Unfortunately the Boclie bombed us during the afternoon, though ineffectively, and I got no chance to make further contact before we left I 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 com- ! forts for the sufferers.

CHAPLAIN’S MANY TASKS

“During the campaign all benefited by the rucksacks, primus stoves, etc., purchased by the patriotic funds in Egypt, and also by the excellent courses of first aid instruction 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, 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 Australians after it had been ‘shot up’ in the- Western Desert. This served a much felt want. The Church Army Hut will be opened by the New Zealand Premier this week. I regard it as the most pleasing building in any of ouv camps. Thousands of soldiers have just occupied the surrounding area and the hut is opened at exactly the right moment.

“Mrs A. P. H. Chapman lias asked my advice and that of the senior Presbyterian padre about an altar and sanctuary for incorporation in the ‘Lowry Hut,’ and I think we shall have something very appropriate. This will be a fine building in a different locality from our hut.”