WORK OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND WITH THE TROOPS

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 31, Issue 9, 1 November 1940, Page 2

WORK OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND WITH THE TROOPS

..Church work in /the camps m New Zealand and overseas^ continues to grow; the following chaplains accom- , panie'd the Third Echelon overseas, The Rev. F. Q. Dawson, the Rev. F. H. Buck and Rev._C. *E. Willis and were replaced m the ovarious camps by The Rev. H. G. Taylor, Papakura; Rev. T. E. Champion, Ngaruawahia; Rev. E. W. Hancock, Trentham and the Rev. D. v D. Thorpe, Burnham, all of whom are ; to proceed oyerseas m due course. .- " vThe following Church Army Officers are serving jwith the troops overseas, Captain J. W. Walton, C.A., N Capti C. L., Wright, C.A., Capt. R. W. Blair, C.A.. Owing to the rapid 'extension of .Church work amongst the troops m New Zealand the following have been engaged by the Church Army for the duration— Messrs E. E. Bush of Upper Hutt, E. S. West of Christchurch, W. H. Robinson, W. G. H. , Reynolds and S. C. Rosser of Auckland. There are now twelve Church Army Officers working witti the troops m this country and more volunteers for service with the Church Army are required. The following is an extract from a Church Army Officer's report from one of the mobilisation camps: — "Though the, work has b/een strenuous there have been many bright moments. The amenities provided m our marquee have been highly appreciated by the men, if numbers attending may be taken as an indication. Frequently we have as many as 400 men assembled reading, writing, resting or listening to the radio, etc. Battalion concerts have been held on four occasions with attendances up to 750. Battalion Church Parades, held every Sunday^ have been attended by. all who have not been on leave and attendances a # t Holy Communion Ser- - vices at 6.30 a.m. each Sunday have been most encouraging."