CHAPLAIN’S REPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 June 1941, Page 6

CHAPLAIN’S REPORT

OPERATIONS IN GREECE. SERVICES CONDUCTED IN FIELD. According to a report from the Rt. Rev. Bishop G. V. Gerard, senior chaplain with the New Zealand Forces overseas, 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. 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, Bishop Gerard called upon a Greek Archbishop, who stated that, by virtue of his office, no further introduction will be needed in asking leave to use parish churches. Several clergy, however, had some baeutiful 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.

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 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, assist in digging graves, and conduct immediate burials before a column has to move off rapidly to a spot miles away.