Compiled by Archbishop Dr. Peter McInnes, AICA Primate, RSL Chaplain, www.aicaustralia.com

Chaplains went to Gallipoli, France and Belgium, ANZAC legends of courage, resourcefulness, and undying mateship Ministers came from rural/suburban churches with mainly women congregations Suddenly relocated to all-male environments Men trained/expected to kill for King and Commonwealth Chaplain TP Bennet stated it was strange to serve Prince of Peace in the Army Chaplains demonstrated muscular Christianity, served God, King, Country – no problem, but soldiers/officers saw Christians as wimps Chaplains were not popular initially, but won respect due to how they treated the men in the field of battle personally and conduct in daily events. Theoretically, behind front line to conduct religious services, wholesome entertainment and help in the hospital with the wounded, but far removed from battle? Gallipoli had no rear line, often shelled and fired upon by snipers, same risks as soldiers at the front of battle! Chaplains lived the same life, ate same food, involved in every aspect of the soldiers’ lives, took risks helping the wounded, collected details of those killed in the open field of fire-admired for courage!

Typical week day was from dawn in the trenches, visiting the wounded, moved through the valley visiting various units in their care/responsibility, until they reached the front, distributed mail/parcels, socialised and encouraged soldiers. Typical Sunday, up to 5 services from beaches to the front, moving around so much put chaplains at more risk than soldiers. Soldiers, generally, stayed in trenches/sheltered areas. Those whom moved were most at risk from shell and sniper attacks. 18 Hour days, burial at night. Physically demanding walking from beaches to front up hills and winding narrow tracks, shot at during the day, funerals at night, burying friends-emotional strain of death daily, writing to families and getting deeply emotional responses mailed back-physical and emotional strain! Dealing with the wounded, bodily parts missing and/ hanging out, risk of infection, worsening injuries. Some wounded brought in after several days in hot sun, tearing bandages off sunburnt soldiers-horrific conditions-some in agony yet quiet, physical and emotional scars – counselling, no recognition of PTSD, viewed as lacked courage. Chaplains were sympathetic and experienced, joked with soldiers as tared off bandages, soldiers were grateful for clean dressings -memorable moments! Tough to be a Chaplain! Often chaplains would overhear soldiers discuss their desires-eggs-chaplain searched out eggs for each man -<500. Chaplains served above and beyond the Call – I could follow these chaplains in war, what about you?

A Chaplain physically cut steps into tracks on a hillside to make travel easier for the water and stretcher bearers. Day of battle at First Aid post, helping with wounded, some stayed close behind attack to be close to soldiers to minister to wounded and dying during battles, major work after battle, help wounded, administer last rites to dying, sad task of identifying dead/tag identification* several bags per battle, then multiple burials over a short space of time-emotional strain of burying friends! Quinns Post-fiercest battles, Turkish and British trenches were metres apart, Chaplains visited their soldiers there. Chaplain diaries noted myths of chaplains leading charges against the enemy and actively fighting. If a chaplain carried a soldiers rifle to help, it was rumoured that he lead a charge. A New Zealand Chaplain was known to be militant, carrying a revolver, performed a Haka which frightened the enemy, they believed he was going to eat them? Chaplains conducted church services throughout the trenches where men gathered, few dozen at a time.

Picture a Sunday afternoon: The Chaplain walks through shrapnel valley singing hymns, soldiers come out of “dough-outs” like rabbits out of a warren, congregate in relatively sheltered areas, the church service is conducted, can see a few fires in the hills, stars are clearly visible in the evening sky, occasional shell fire, services conducted on the beach, soldiers sing hymns, marching platoon joins in as they pass by, sentries in other posts take up the song, men in trenches join in concession – comradeship, unity, comfort (WWII POW sang “Abide with me” as led into captivity) easy to overlook ANZAC Chaplains, but they worked and suffered alongside soldiers and friends.

Chaplain Blackwood stated that the Australian soldier was a hypocrite/camouflage artist, pretended he had no religion, most cases, below the surface, deep sense of God and moral law. Those not religious found comfort in the rituals of prayer and song (like with funerals today). Chaplains did so much to relieve the burdens on soldiers, families appreciated that ministers conducted services/funerals over fallen comrades. The ANZAC Legend has become its own religion for many Australians & New Zealanders, has more conventional religious aspects as well. Though rarely acknowledged, Faith and Religion played a relevant part in the ANZAC Legend. Be proud of your heritage, don’t chase foreign heritage such as USA or UK, our forefathers proved their worthiness on the world stage and are due our respect and thanks. Today the Guns are silent. We have experienced sacrifice & victory. There is no going back to the past, we must go forward and contribute to the future in a positive manner! Let us make the future better than our past. Today, we remember those whom sacrificed their today for our tomorrow. Let us live & honour their sacrifice for us.,