OFFICERS’ TRIBUTES TO A DEVOTED CHAPLAIN

New Zealand Tablet, 4 October 1917, Page 13

OFFICERS’ TRIBUTES TO A DEVOTED CHAPLAIN

Writing from the 4th London General Hospital under date July 17, ; to the ■ Rev. Father Quealy (Petone), Lieut.-Colonel H. Stewart, -commanding 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment; states: "I am only now able 4 - to write 'to you re the late Chaplain-Major McMenamin. I would like you, please, to forward this to his next of kin, or in some way express to them my keen sense "of sympathy in their loss. He was killed instantaneously by a shell during the Messines operations while burying another officer of the battalion. It is unnecessary to say anything of the splendid work he did-, in Gallipoli and in France, or of the universal respect and esteem in which he was held by all ranks. His. memory will be affectionately cherished by .all who knew him, and/ the example set by him of * unostentatious devotion toC. duty, courage, broadmindedness and cheerful friendliness has most certainly not been without effect. For myself I feel I have lost a good friend since the days in Egypt before we went to Gallipoli." k Captain W. H. Prior, writing to Right Rev. Mgr.?. McKenna, of Masterton, regarding the death of Chap-lain-Major McMenamin, says: ; r -'" f~ "I want you to express my sympathy with- all who mourn the loss of Rev. Father McMenamin. I saw his constant work amongst the men in the trenches.'' ;At the battle of Messines he came forward and worked ini the advanced Regimental Aid Posts '.. There his work was of J the widest description." Be carried /round water! 1 and . comforts to ./the wounded, British and German : ; helped in dressing the wounds, and gave the Sacrament to his merr. Then, amidst the "falling shells " oh-'Mes-lS sines Ridge, Tie buried the dead as quietly apd fearlessly as ; if v in/New/ Zealand, and then he answered - his \ own call. He was t honored 'i by all of \us who knew him: and his influence does not end with his'death," , . . . . ~"* -• .. .■■■