Feature

An Army at war

Marc Muller describes the work of L’Armée du Salut during the First World War

Refugees at Paris Villette Corps, 1915

Military hospital at Lyons hostel, 1915

DURING the First World War, L’Armée du Salut mobilised to bring relief and comfort, first to refugees and the wounded then to soldiers in transit and behind the front line.

In September 1914 much of the population of Belgium and the north of France fled. And so The Salvation Army’s war work began. There were isolated initiatives at first, because it seemed unlikely that the war would last. Nevertheless, the territorial commander for France and Belgium made Army premises available and offered its services to the authorities. Locally, Salvationists responded spontaneously.

In some places, The Salvation Army accommodated refugees or welcomed passing soldiers. In others, visits were made to the wounded in military health services. The 100-bed hostel in Lyons became a temporary hospital. Salvation Army officers who had been nurses volunteered to treat and take care of the wounded in hospitals. And Salvationists answered spiritual questions and offered help and support to men and families marked by separation, suffering and grief.

As the war continued the Army moved towards more sustainable and established action. During the winter of 1914–15, social centres sent clothes and parcels to soldiers on the front lines. The Ministry of War appreciated this ‘Old Linen League’, but Salvationists were unaccustomed to long, costly action and the Army’s traditional activities suffered.

As the task grew heavier, most men were mobilised. The canteens of the British Salvation Army would inspire the work of L’Armée du Salut. At Le Havre, an officer transformed the hall into a room for reading and correspondence. Other hostels followed their example.

Meetings and recreational evenings took place and, depending on circumstances, there was even a canteen. Few religious services were organised for troops, but Salvationists were especially attentive to those for whom faith seemed to be the answer to their daily misery. Every night, a hundred Poilus – the equivalent of the British Tommy – on leave or in transit through the Gare de l’Est in Paris were able to stay in the hostel in the Rue de Chabrol.

From 1916 onwards the Soldiers Hostels increased in number and soup kitchens opened in Paris. The law of 30 May 1916 gave a legal framework and resources to this war effort and to all the Army’s other activities.

Colonel AIbin Peyron became the territorial commander in 1917 and, on 25 December, he organised a meeting in the basement of the Krug company in Reims with the approval of the military’s joint chiefs of staff. The next day he wrote: ‘The bombing was incessant; nature seemed to be shedding tears over the tortured city... This Christmas Day the snow covered her with a fine unsullied shroud, the Christmas tree flickered under the vaults of a champagne cellar... There were a hundred people there, mainly soldiers.’

Soldiers Hostels began to be established in the military zone behind the front. In collaboration with the military authorities, The Salvation Army obtained authorisation to remain in this zone and advance at the same time as the troops. The Soldiers Hostels became mobile. In a few hours, a large tent was pitched in the corner of a field, folding tables and benches were taken out of a van and, as the Army’s En Avant! periodical reported in October 1918, the Poilus ‘were able to taste a cup of hot chocolate and sign the pre-printed cards that would take eagerly awaited news to their families’.

The work was not without risk. In June 1918 several Army hostels had to be evacuated due to the German counteroffensive.

On 11 November 1918 the First World War ended. French soldiers no longer had to fight, but they remained mobilised and the Soldiers Hostels lasted until 1923. The 24th one was opened in Strasbourg, Alsace, which had again become a French region. This programme had satisfied hundreds of thousands of users as well as the military command. The supreme allied commander, Maréchal Foch, expressed his gratitude to The Salvation Army ‘for what you did for our soldiers’.

From then on The Salvation Army was recognised and appreciated throughout France. It was the French Salvation Army’s first great project since the work started in the country in 1881. Others were to follow but, ironically, it was during a time of war that the Army learnt how to organise and implement this great endeavour.

A faithful presence

Continuing a series on Salvation Army chaplaincy in diverse settings, four chaplains to military cadet groups tell Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts about their roles and responsibilities

Major David Alton

THE chaplain or ‘padre’ is a significant figure in the armed forces, giving pastoral support and spiritual guidance to servicemen and women and their families, sometimes in the most dangerous and distressing situations. Chaplains to military youth organisations serve in less stressful settings, but they also have an important part to play.

Major David Alton (Boscombe) had enjoyed being a prison chaplain in a previous corps appointment, but wasn’t looking for another chaplaincy role. However, after attending a Remembrance ceremony at a memorial to HMS Phoebe in Bournemouth, he heard the chaplain say he was retiring and offered to help with future ceremonies. Some time later he was asked to become a Sea Cadet chaplain and has recently taken up the appointment.

‘I had been praying about my personal engagement with the local community, but this wasn’t an option that I had even thought about,’ he says. ‘After prayer, consultation and several interviews I began the induction process and have now been approved and appointed as chaplain to the Bournemouth Sea Cadet and Royal Marines Cadet Unit, TS Phoebe, based in Boscombe.’

His role involves nurturing, teaching and leading young people aged 12 to 18.

‘This means helping cadets explore the values of the Sea Cadet Corps,’ David explains. ‘The promise made by sea cadets begins “I promise to serve my God”, which gives a great starting point for discussion and interaction.

‘I also conduct prayers and speak at formal parades and other occasions, as well as support the commanding officer and his team in leading the unit.

‘As with any chaplaincy, it takes time and effort to become embedded and for people to trust and become comfortable with you. There is also a limit to the amount of time and involvement I can bring to the role, but I am trying to balance this with life at a busy corps.

‘The most fulfilling aspect of my role is that I can get alongside the young people, adult volunteers and parents involved in the unit. While it isn’t the place for proselytising, it is an opportunity to be present to God and to people in a new and different context.’

Major Donald Montgomery (Sale) was a member of the Army Cadets as a teenager and later served as a military musician.

‘For some years I had a strong sense of being called to explore whether I could offer a pastoral contribution to the Army Cadets,’ he says. He is now attached to the Cheshire Army Cadet Force (ACF), where he provides support to cadets and adult volunteers in the 25 detachments across the county, as well as to volunteers and permanent staff at county headquarters.

Commissioning as unit chaplain

Giving this support was a challenge during the Covid-19 lockdowns, but he found a way.

‘With the help of one of our technical team, we created a monthly padre video,’ he says. ‘These focused on a biblical reflection on the values and standards of the ACF.

‘I am now available to provide face-toface pastoral and welfare support. I lead Scripture reflections and prayer when we are on parade, and a particularly fulfilling part of the role is when a welfare conversation includes a specific request for prayer or an engagement about faith. I have had many conversations of this type, often in quite surprising situations – over a cup of coffee in times of relaxation, in the queue for lunch at the cookhouse and in moments of rest during a fieldcraft exercise.’

Explaining how chaplaincy relates to his work as a corps officer, Donald says: ‘As an officer appointed to the corps and the community, this chaplaincy role seems to provide a significant and sacred opportunity to engage with those who otherwise may be more difficult to reach. I have an opportunity to share the transforming message of Jesus with those I meet.’

A few weeks after taking up her appointment at Chester-le-Street Corps, Major Liz Hancock received a phone call from the officer in command of the RAF CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Major Dean Logan is installed as padre

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 Air Cadets 1507 Squadron asking if she would consider becoming the padre.

‘I confessed my ignorance, knowing nothing about the Air Cadets,’ she says, but a colleague officer had recommended her and the officer in command felt that she was the person he was looking for.

Liz served as honorary chaplain from September 2016 until moving to Newcastle City Temple in July 2020. In September 2019 she was asked to take on the role of wing chaplain, providing support to chaplains across the Durham and Northumberland Wing, as well as to the wing staff.

‘The role of honorary chaplain involved providing pastoral care for all personnel within the squadron irrespective of their religious belief or status,’ Liz explains. ‘I offered guidance and leadership to cadets on moral and spiritual matters during the monthly Padre Hour and conducted formal enrolment services when new cadets were received into full membership.

‘In July 2017 I was invited to be part of a small chaplaincy team at the annual Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The role of the chaplaincy team is essential for the welfare of cadets and staff, who camp on site for one to two weeks as they help build the show’s infrastructure, manage the crowds and attend to hospitality and PR duties.

‘My pastoral skills were stretched to the extreme as I was called upon to deal with a whole host of issues – from initial homesickness to bereavement, loss and safeguarding issues. But the real joy came from watching nervous young people thrive as they knuckled down and made friends for life with like-minded cadets from all parts of the country.

‘I was on the chaplaincy team for 2018 and 2019, and was due to return in 2020 and 2021 but the Covid-19 pandemic saw the air show cancelled. I hope to return in 2022.’

After leading the Civic Service of Remembrance when he was corps officer at Clydebank, Major Dean Logan was asked to become chaplain to 1740 Clydebank Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets.

‘Having been an air cadet in my youth I jumped at the chance, and I was appointed in August 2018,’ he recalls. Dean (who has since become a divisional mission enabler for West Scotland) has pastoral responsibility for all staff, cadets and civilian volunteers.

‘I host a Padre’s Hour once a month, looking at faith, social and civic issues and responsibilities. I also visit the squadron on other parade nights, just to be available, and officiate at the induction service for new cadets, having taken them through the Air Cadets promise.

‘It is a privilege to be involved in the squadron. I value the opportunity to be

1740 Clydebank Squadron