Belief in the Armed Services

Having commemorated D-Day across the world recently, surely it's fitting to examine belief in relation to people in the present day who defend our shores, through their work in the armed services, as well as those who helped make history, most of whom gave their lives for the principle of re-establishing and preserving democracy throughout Europe during the Second World War.

this D-Day photo by unknown author is licensed under CC BY

We can also savour poetry in relation to faith and military service during this blog.

To give a taste of the significance of the chaplaincy service to soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, here are some service- related abbreviations explained:
NCS Naval Chaplaincy Service
COTF Chaplain of the fleet
COTFAB Chaplain of the Fleet Advisory Board
DCOTF Deputy Chaplain of the Fleet
EA Executive Assistant
CTL Chaplaincy Team Leader
OCM Officiating Chaplains to the Ministry

Owing to the situations of turmoil and trauma witnessed by those in the militia, care is taken for the spiritual welfare of soldiers, sailors and airmen by the Ministry of Defence.

Here are the principles surrounding the chaplaincy service today:

Religion is regarded as a private matter. Those with a faith can practise their religious rites but care has to be taken that operational effectiveness is not hindered, nor health and safety procedures and business needs compromised.

The Equality Act 2010 prevents everyone from discrimination for their religion or beliefs and this includes humanists and atheists.

This Act places responsibility on public organisations to prevent victimisation and harassment, to promote equal opportunity and foster good relations within our forces.

Commanding Officers have to discern whether there is discrimination against people with particular beliefs, and if rules, policies and procedures should be changed.

No member of the armed services is made to attend religious services. However, they have to attend Parades, Divisions and ceremonial events which may include short services, including prayer or reflection.

The Ministry of Defence also gives people who serve the chance to discuss their individual needs with their Commanding Officer and line managers regarding their faith.

Spaces for worship/contemplation are made available in all Service buildings and that even includes submarines! Soldiers, sailors and those serving in the air force can also request leave during their individual religious festivals but need to take their colleagues’ needs into account and be aware of others making the same request.

Fasting is allowed but the Services have to consider the physical demands on their personnel and whether or not it is appropriate to a given situation.

Chaplains of the armed forces, full-time and reservist, are from the Christian faith. Their spiritual and pastoral care extends to the families of those who serve and to those with no faith. They also have civilian Officiating Chaplains to the Ministry. These give local level support.

World Faith Chaplains from Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim Hindu and Jewish faiths give advice to these faith groups and give the Ministry of Defence advice in relation to these faiths. The purpose of this is to highlight the traditions of these faiths in the armed forces.

The Chaplain of the Fleet, mentioned above, manages the the Naval Chaplaincy Service. The person in this role makes sure the spiritual and pastoral needs of everyone, including those of other world faiths are fulfilled. The role also requires the delivery of a focused and efficient chaplaincy service.

The Chaplaincy Team Leader is responsible for the functioning of other chaplains within a specific group.

Now, let us turn to poetry in relation to service and the chaplaincy.

I find this one, by Edgar Guest, who wrote about a World War I chaplain, particularly moving.

The Chaplain

He was just a small church parson when the war broke out, and he
Looked and dressed and acted like all parsons that we see.
He wore the cleric’s broadcloth and he hooked his vest behind,
But he had a man’s religion and he had a strong man’s mind,
And he heard the call to duty and he quit his church and went,
And he bravely tramped right with ‘em everywhere the boys were sent.
He put aside his broadcloth and he put the khaki on;
Said he’d come to be a soldier and was going to live like one.
Then he refereed the prize fights that the boys pulled off at night,
And if no one else was handy he’d put on the gloves and fight.
He wasn’t there a fortnight ere he saw the soldiers’ needs,
And he said, “I’m done with preaching; now is the time for deeds.”
He learned the sound of shrapnel, he could tell the size of shell
From the shriek it made above him, and he knew just where it fell.
In the front line trench he labored, and he knew the feel of mud,
And he didn’t run from danger, and he wasn’t scared of blood.
He wrote letters for the wounded, and he cheered them with his jokes,
And he never made a visit without passing round the smokes.
Then one day a bullet got him, and he knelt beside a lad,
Who was “going west” right speedy, and they both seemed mighty glad,
‘Cause he held the boy’s hand tighter, and he smiled and whispered low,
Now you needn’t fear the journey; over there with you I’ll go.”
And they both passed out together, arm in arm I think they went.
He had kept his vow to follow everywhere the boys were sent.

                                                                                         Edgar Guest

Edgar Guest

Guest, 1881-1959 was born in Birmingham in England but the family moved to America in 1891, settling in Detroit. He termed himself, “a newspaper man who wrote verses”.

The above poem is engaging in the way it casts a light on soldiers’ leisure activities and the humour that existed among young men in the army. It lacks the horror story element of the great war poets such as Sassoon and Owen but is useful as a snapshot of army life in days gone by. There is a lack of bitterness in the poem, and it communicates comradeship among the soldiers who fought in the Great War.

This poem shows us how language changes over time. “Parson” is a rather outdated term for a minister of the church now. We tend to say “vicar” or priest. Do you find there is something pleasing in the way cigarettes are referred to as “smokes”? It gives us an insight into speech patterns of our ancestors. Of course, nobody uses the word ‘ere today.

The antiquity of the poem is also indicated by the rhyming couplets and regular rhythm throughout, which many modern poets do not use, and which magazine editors do not wish for from subscribers.

I wrote about a World War I chaplain, because I could not find any poetry about World War II chaplains!

World War 2 chaplains of note, who ministered to the troops were George L. Fox, Alexander D Goode, Clark V. Polling and John P. Washington. These men died rescuing civilians and members of the militia on the American troop ship SS Dorchester, which sank on February 3rd 1944.

Here they are.

On that note, I started with the Normandy D-Day landings, so I will end with D-Day.

I found this poem online, which brings us into the twenty-first century.

Remembering D-Day

Across the channel from England
They sailed throughout the night
Invasion ships, carrying allied troops
Who were ready and willing to fight.

Canadian mine sweepers led the way
To ensure the channel had no mines.
Four hundred and fifty Canadian airmen
Were to be dropped behind enemy lines.

Fourteen thousand Canadian soldiers
Were to land on Juno beach, France,
Supported by the RCAF,
To give them a fighting chance.

As the sun rose on June 6th 1944
On that grey, windy, chilly morning,
An attack on the German forces
Was launched without any warning.

Canadians played a major role
On what became known as D-Day
But it cost us far too many lives.
It was a very high price to pay.

Bravely and courageously
They stormed beaches of Normandy,
As the start of the end of World War II,
So we can live glorious and free.

It’s important that we remember
How much our armed forces achieved
And that so many paid the ultimate price
As thousands of families grieved.

Thank you to all our Veterans,
Both here and from coast to coast,
We will always be indebted to you.
Canadians we can proudly boast.

God bless you all.
                                               Jean Kay June 4th 2008

No doubt their faith helped them, and we can hope this continues among serving young men and women today.

a Normandy cemetery

Thanks for reading, Anne Gaelan.