Identity of Chaplain of 16th Irish Division

[Overlord]

Can any members help identify the chaplain in this photograph? I've come across this image a number of times over the years and captions usually refer to the padre simply as a 'chaplain of the Munsters' near Cambrai in 1918 (although I think it used to be misattributed as 1916). His shoulder flash indicates that he was attached to the 16th (Irish) Division and the caption offered in the copy held in the US National Archives reads as follows: 'A Chaplain of the Munsters saying a prayer over bodies of two British soldiers killed in a front line trench. Cambrai. (Arras & Cambrai Area)' (see https://catalog.archives.gov/id/16576784). I'm afraid the only padre I know that served with the Munsters is Francis Gleeson, but I don't think this is him.

I've never posted on the Great War forum before, but have been reading the content for many years and have always been impressed by the wealth of knowledge of those who engage with this site. Any guidance would be very much appreciated. 

[ilkley remembers]

Seen this photograph before when the Chaplain was named as Fr Dominic Devas OP (OP stands for Order of Preachers aka Dominican Order)

Devas published his memoirs in 1919(?) 'From Cloister to Camp'

[Overlord]

Many thanks for this response, which is very helpful. A digital copy of 'From Cloister to Camp' can be accessed via the Internet Archive and the author's account suggests that this is undoubtedly him in the photograph. From what I can gather, Devas was an English Catholic priest (a Franciscan rather than Dominican), originally from Somerset, who served with the 16th Division and was attached to the 1/Munsters in 1918. Thanks again for your help!

[ilkley remembers]

1 hour ago, Overlord said:

Many thanks for this response, which is very helpful. A digital copy of 'From Cloister to Camp' can be accessed via the Internet Archive and the author's account suggests that this is undoubtedly him in the photograph. From what I can gather, Devas was an English Catholic priest (a Franciscan rather than Dominican), originally from Somerset, who served with the 16th Division and was attached to the 1/Munsters in 1918. Thanks again for your help!

I see that an interview with Devas was recordedby well known researcher Rose Coombs in 1983 and is held by the Imperial War Museum 

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80006646

By the way welcome to the forum

Regards

IR

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 27 June , 2023 by ilkley remembers

[michaeldr]

An interesting snippet from 'The Cross on the Sword' by Johnstone & Hagerty

p.176 … “It would be difficult to find a more remarkable Catholic family on the Western Front than that of the Devases. Charles Stanton Devas was distinguished for becoming a Catholic while a schoolboy at Eton. He later went to Balliol, married, and had nine children. One became a nun, three were priests: Francis SJ, Raymond OP and Philip OFM. All three became army chaplains. Two other sons went into the army; one was killed. Between them, the five brothers were awarded three OBEs, one DSO and two MCs.”

[ilkley remembers]

The photograph you posted is in fact from the IWM collection

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205216087

[michaeldr]

Chaplain Philip Dominic DEVAS. Army Chaplain's Department
At the National Archives:-
WO 347/19390 takes you to a file which is not available online
WO 372/6/10563 takes you to his MiC which is available on line 

[ilkley remembers]

51 minutes ago, michaeldr said:

p.176 … “It would be difficult to find a more remarkable Catholic family on the Western Front than that of the Devases. Charles Stanton Devas was distinguished for becoming a Catholic while a schoolboy at Eton. He later went to Balliol, married, and had nine children. One became a nun, three were priests: Francis SJ, Raymond OP and Philip OFM. All three became army chaplains. Two other sons went into the army; one was killed. Between them, the five brothers were awarded three OBEs, one DSO and two MCs.”

Appears that all the Devas boys were educated at the Jesuit Public School Beamont College in Berkshire. Therir Roll names Bertrand devas as KiA on the Somme in 1916 another brother,francis, was awarded the DSO

Charles Stanton Devas was well known in Catholic academic circles for advocating a form paternalistic socialist economics 

Photo from Beaumont-Union website

Edited 27 June , 2023 by ilkley remembers

[ilkley remembers]

3 hours ago, Overlord said:

Can any members help identify the chaplain in this photograph? I've come across this image a number of times over the years and captions usually refer to the padre simply as a 'chaplain of the Munsters' near Cambrai in 1918 (although I think it used to be misattributed as 1916).

I see that Devas mentions the taking of the photograph by an official photographer in his book page 181.

[Overlord]

Many thanks indeed ilkely remembers and michaeldr, I now have a much fuller picture of this padre than I did this morning. As you say, the photo is held in the Imperial War Museum Collection, and while the USNA version is higher-def, Devas is at least correctly identified by the IWM. His memoir is an excellent resource too, and I look forward to listening to the recorded interview and checking out his file at Kew. Can't believe he lived until the early 1980s - what a remarkable character!

Thanks again!

[ilkley remembers]

11 hours ago, Overlord said:

Many thanks indeed ilkely remembers and michaeldr, I now have a much fuller picture of this padre than I did this morning. As you say, the photo is held in the Imperial War Museum Collection, and while the USNA version is higher-def, Devas is at least correctly identified by the IWM. His memoir is an excellent resource too, and I look forward to listening to the recorded interview and checking out his file at Kew. Can't believe he lived until the early 1980s - what a remarkable character!

Thanks again!

Glad to be of assistance. If you do find more about this chap then do let us know

Regards

 

IR