New Testament

[Peter Beckett]

I have my Grandfathers New Testament which was issued and I quote

" to Sapper Beckett, Rouen, Nov 1915 With every good wish Hugh Watt"

It is light brown in colour and is about 2" x 3" x 1/2" and in fair condition.

Does anyone know of this organisation? Would it have been part of a general spiritual ministering to the troops.

My grandfather's first overseas date to France was 30 Oct 1915 so was Rouen a holding area/training area?

and lastly has anyone heard of Hugh Watt. I am guessing he may have been a padre or clergy as there is a reference to John 15 V 14-17.

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Peter

The League was founded in the USA in 1893 and it's London Office was opened in 1914. It is an International Organisation which is still in existence.

For a brief outline history see: http://www.readcarryshare.org/

[Peter Beckett]

Thanks for that, Heritage Plus

I had a look at the site and in 1914 at Salisbury Plains they distributed 400,000 testaments. The mind boggles

[paul guthrie]

Peter under soldiers you will find a thread on Lewis Charlesworth that I started. His testament is one of these also and his was issued at Rouen also in 1915.

[Peter Beckett]

Thanks Paul,

picked up the thread. Makes you wonder how many were issued and how many are left today. Also makes you wonder how much solace the books gave. I went all through mine but could not find any pages that were marked or had notations in. I also inherited a small crucifix which is silver inlaid in a black material. There is a picture of one attached to a dog tag on the dust cover of "The Soldiers War 1914-1918" by Peter H Liddle . As my family have been Church of England (Anglican) for as long as I can research, it seems a bit odd unless they were "High Church". More of lifes interesting riddles