IN MILITARY CAMPS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21218, 14 September 1940, Page 9

IN MILITARY CAMPS

CHURCH OF ENGLAND WORK ASSISTANCE TO SOLDIERS News from Egypt has been slow in coming to hand. Letters from Captain J. W. Walton, C.A., state that he has gone into the “forward area” and, therefore, we cannot expect to hear from him for a while, says a statement regarding Church of England activity with the New Zealand forces. Reports from the second echelon in England reveal that the chaplains and Church Army officer had many opportunities for service to . the troops on the transports. Celei Orations of Holy Communion were held at 6.15, 9.45, and 10.30 a.m. on Suudays and at 6.30 a.m. each weekday. • The senior chaplain, Bishop G. V. Gerard, writing from Divisional Headquarters, England, reports that there has been much organising to be done. The Church Army, England. has provided two marquees with furnishings; one is at headquarters and the second, manned by Capt. C. I. Wright, C.A., in another camp which has neither chaplain nor Y.M.C.A.. The Rev. W. E. W. Hurst is making valuable use of the other marquee. Our own marquees have just arrived and one has been erected for the Rev. N. E. Winhall’s use at the very attractive new general hospital. Provision of Rucksacks A scheme has been devised for providing scout rucksacks with compartments for a minimum of comforts, dressings and other gear portable on the back of each padre, Church Army or Y.M.C.A. man. This is essentially a war of mobility and change. The Church of England now has ten chaplains and three Church Army ijficers serving overseas. In New Zealand there are four full-time Church of England chaplains in military camps, in addition to many doing part-time work in Territorial camps and air force stations. Eleven Church Army officers are working in camps at Burnham, Trentham. Ngaruawahia, Papakura, Narrow j Neck, Epsom and Hobsonville air j station. New huts are being built 'at Narrow Neck and at the new camp at Waiouru.