Gallantry Awards to Army Chaplains 1914-18

[RaySearching]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply Ken

having enlarged the letter in question (image in post 45) I can now see that it is in fact a G and not an O

The right bottom curl of the letter cut horizontal'y,  not at an angle as the C is

 

Regards Ray

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FredJCarss]

Hi Ken

That seems like a very likely reason and the additional information as well.

Thank you and kind regards

 

Fred

[ASD]

Rev Henry Samuel Frank Williams, M.C. and MiD. Vicar of St Matthew Pontypridd, chaplain to his local TA Battalion 5th Welsh (53rd (Welsh) Division). Won MC at Gaza 1917

His baptism of fire was at Gallipoli landing on 8^th August 1915. The division was to suffer heavy casualties before evacuation to Egypt. He served with the 5^th Welsh and 53^rd Division throughout the Palestine campaign and had the distinction of conducting the first Christian service in Jerusalem after the occupation by British troops and also conducted the first military Christian service in Bethlehem in 500 years. (Since the time of the crusades).He was awarded the Military Cross (reverse engraved “Rev HSF Williams) for Gallantry under Fire Gaza, 26.3.1917. This honour was conferred at Jerusalem 19.3.1918. he was also awarded 1914/15 Star, “Rev ACD”, British War Medal, Victory, MiD. Accompanied by a Trallwn Pontypridd Great War Tribute Medal engraved “Mjr Rev. HSF Williams.MC.

The Military Cross citation was published in the London Gazette on 11^th August 1917.

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed magnificent courage and devotion in collecting the wounded from the open under heavy shell fire, helping the Medical Officer at the Regimental Aid Post and remaining out all night searching for wounded. He showed complete disregard for his personal safety and rejoined the battalion in an exhausted condition.”

He was mentioned in dispatches on 6^th July 1917 and 11^th June 1918.

He wrote an account of the first battle of Gaza which was published in a local newspaper. It is quite humble and extremely vivid.

The Welsh at Gaza; “The battalion had a beastly ground to advance over, flat and bare of cover. It was not until about 10am on Monday 26^th march that the fog lifted sufficiently to reveal what lay in front. I with my brigade, was away on the left, on a rough ridge torn with deep gullies and ravines, over which we had to advance, and from this ridge I stood with our colonel and watched the sea mists rollaway like a curtain. The houses and gardens and minarets of Gaza came into view like a stage set. Our objective was a very strong natural position, improved by art, and known as the labyrinth – a nasty nut to crack, as the ground was very rough. The ravines running down from the side of the ridge were torn by rainstorms and ranged from a foot wide and two feet deep to twenty or thirty feet and as much deep, with perpendicular sides. You can picture how fatiguing the business was under a scorching sun and with a pint and a half of water in two days. The lads from Wales went into action across their flat fields at 10.30am and by four p.m. they had won their way into the citadel and were clearing the Turks out in fine style.

Meanwhile on the ridge which runs towards Gaza and terminates in the labyrinth, a maze of trenches was heavily machine gunned. We had stood in the morning mist until 10a.m., waiting for it to roll seawards and at last the word to advance came at about 11a.m. We and another battalion were selected to attack, the rest being held in reserve. We made straight for our objective under shellfire and machine gun fire as we topped each rise. At 1.30p.m. we were into the labyrinth and cleared the ground, but at three p.m. our right and left flanks were left in the air and our position became critical.

Urgent messages for support, also for more ammunition, water and stretchers were sent. The wounded were lying out in the blazing sun and we had to carry on as best we could. So the day wore on until sunset. The night which followed was as bitterly cold as the day had been hot and we simply lay where we were, and fell asleep only to wake with teeth chattering in an hour or two. Breakfast was only a biscuit, some bully beef and a swig of water, which had arrived at 2 a.m. that night we fell back on our original position. We had all realised our objectives, taken 800 prisoners, including a G.O.C., and staff and numbers of guns. I don’t know what the Turkish losses are but they must be severe. The whole division has done magnificently and given the turksd a terrible shake up.

The men have been magnificent. My stretcher bearers (that was my job during the action as we were so handicapped for men and stretchers) were beyond praise – cool steady and ready for anything. One came along with me to bury one of our poor boys, and together we dug a shallow grave about 200 yards away from the very cactus hedge which screened some Turkish machine guns; but they left us alone much to lour relief. Well, it is over, and we are getting ready for another push, which I hope will finish off the business.

I hope and pray the parish is still flourishing in spite of everything”.

 

 

After his discharge he returned to his parish. Later he moved to Foleshill near Coventry. At the time of his leaving the Parishioners paid him the tribute which was published in the local newspaper. “They knew something about what he had done through the period throughout the dreadful adventure of Gallipoli, in Egypt and Palestine. He had been able to render great assistance to many of their boys, who would never return, and gave comfort to many of their parents and friends at home.”

 

 

Does anyone have a photgraph of the Rev Henry Samuel Frank Williams MC?

[helpjpl]

On 29/10/2006 at 13:39, SteveE said:

He was, Citation for Bar to MC was Gazetted 2nd December 1918.

Rev. Mazzini Tron, D.S.O., M.C., T./C.F., 4th Cl., A. Chap. Dept.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He continually attended wounded under heavy fire, and enabled them to be brought in and evacuated with great despatch. Though his haversack containing (dressings was swept away by shell fire, he returned for more dressings and went out again. His cheerfulness, pluck, and determination were a fine example to all.

(M.C. gazetted 16th August, 1917.)

Link to the Gazette is Here

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

 

Mazzini Tron:

http://ww1chaplains.gravesecrets.net/t.html

 

DSO - London Gazette 26 November 1917:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30399/supplement/12316/data.pdf

 

And this, from the War Diary of 3/4th Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment - Incidents. Appendix 10, page 20:

http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/war_diaries/local/3_4Bn_Queens/3_4Bn_Queens_1917/3_4Bn_Queens_1917_10.shtml

 

 

JP

Edited 24 July , 2019 by helpjpl

[Steviebullsatatter]

I have  a  letter sent from the front to my gr grandmother ,penned by rev wg burgis..

On 31/01/2006 at 15:44, Audax said:

The Military Cross was instigated on the 31.12.1914. The list below is far from complete. style_emoticons/#EMO_DIR#/cool.gif

 

Roman Catholic

1. Rev W Doyle M.C.

2. Rev F Aveling M.C.

3. Rev H Beauchamp M.C.

4. Rev L E Bellanti M.C.

5. Rev A Bourchier

6. Rev K R Brady M.C.

7. Rev F M Browne M.C.

8. Rev P J Burns M.C.

9. Rev J Carden M.C.

10. Rev J J Clinton M.C.

11. Rev I Collins M.C.

12. Rev E Colley M.C.

13. Rev D Conway M.C.

14. Rev J A Cotter M.C.

15. Rev F Courturier

16. Rev M Cullen M.C.

17. Rev H Day M.C.

18. Rev R Devas M.C.

19. Rev F Donohue M.C.

20. Rev W Fitzmaurice M.C.

21. Rev F G Freeley M.C.

22. Rev J A Gray M.C.

23. Rev S M Hegarty M.C.

24. Rev D J Hughes M.C.

25. Rev H Keegan M.C.

26. Rev E Kelly M.C.

27. Rev J M Kelly M.C.

28. Rev R J Lane-Fox M.C.

29. Rev W Leighton M.C.

30. Rev R McGuiness M.C.

31. Rev M Moran M.C.

32. Rev J J OD Mc Shanahan M.C.

33. Rev B Wolferstan M.C.

34. Rev F Woodlock

35. Rev J Wrafter M.C.

36. Rev A OConnor M.C.

37. Rev P F Oddie

38. Rev H R Potter

39. Rev J Scannell

40. Rev J Stratton

41. Rev B T Walsh

Wesleyans

1. Rev L J W Babb M.C.

2. Rev P M Brumwell M.C.

3. Rev J W Bolton M.C.

4. Rev A T Cape M.C.

5. Rev G H Crossland M.C.

6. Rev A.W.Davies M.C.

7. Rev E S Ellis M.C.

8. Rev H V Griffiths M.C.

9. Rev P Hallding M.C.

10. Rev A W Harrison M.C.

11. Rev A S Hullah M.C.

12. Rev A G Kick M.C.

13. Rev E O Martin M.C.

14. Rev AF Pentney M.C.

15. Rev J T Tunstall M.C.

16. Rev F.W .Welbon M.C.

17. Rev E O Martin M.C.

Welsh Calvanistic Methodists

1. Rev D C Williams M.C.

Church of England

1. Rev P W Guiness DSO MC 1917

2. Rev J Kinnear MC 1915

3. Rev E Y Bate M.C. 1917

4. Rev W H Abott M.C. 1915

5. Rev W H Aglionby M.C. 1918

6. Rev L M Andrews M.C. 1917

7. Rev R W Balleine M.C.

8. Rev H S Bally M.C. 1918

9. Rev E A Bennett M.C

10. Rev E H Beattie M.C. 1918

11. Rev H P Berkeley M.C. 1918

12. Rev J F Bloxam M.C.

13. Rev B K Bond M.C. 1918

14. Rev A H Boyd M.C. 1915

15. Rev R McN Boyd M.C. 1917

16. Rev G E Browne M.C.

17. Rev W G Burgis M.C. 1918

18. Rev G A Chase M.C .

19. Rev G M Chavasse M.C.

20. Rev C A Clarke M.C.

21. Rev J F Clayton M.C.

22. Rev P T B Clayton M.C.

23. Rev T H Cleworth M.C.

24. Rev H B Cole M.C.

25. Rev J F Colqhoun M.C.

26. Rev G C R Cooke M.C.

27. Rev H R Cooke M.C.

28. Rev A.E Cousins M.C

29. Rev A S Crayley M.C.

30. Rev K N Crisford M.C.

31. Rev A P Daniels M.C.

32. Rev G C Danvers M.C.

33. Rev C B Deane M.C.

34. Rev F W Douglass M.C.

35. Rev R P Dodd M.C.

36. Rev a G Duthie M.C.

37. Rev H F Elgood M.C.

38. Rev M.S Evers M.C.

39. Rev W H Fawkes M.C.

40. Rev S E R Fenning M.C.

41. Rev T L T Fisher M.C.

42. Rev F A W Gibbs M.C.

43. Rev R Gillenders M.C.

44. Rev H Gibson M.C.

45. Rev A P Gower-Rees M.C.

46. Rev C C Griffiths M.C. 1918

47. Rev E M Guilford M.C.

48. Rev St.J B Groser M.C.

49. Rev F J Halahan M.C.

50. Rev H P Hargreaves M.C. 1918

51. Rev H C Harland M.C.

52. Rev W T Havard M.C.

53. Rev F J Hazeldine M.C.

54. Rev F W Head M.C.

55. Rev J L J Hill M.C.

56. Rev B.F Hindle M.C.

57. Rev H V Hodson M.C.

58. Rev H L Hornby M.C.

59. Rev E C Hoskyns M.C

60. Rev J W Hunkin M.C

61. Rev H W Hutchings M.C.

62. Rev S Hutchinson M.C.

63. Rev R J B Irwin D.S.O ,M.C.

64. Rev C W O Jenkin M.C.

65. Rev A D Johnson M.C.

66. Rev A L Jones M.C.

67. Rev T W A Jones M.C.

68. Rev W A Jones M.C.

69. Rev A C Judd M.C.

70. Rev F H King M.C.

71. Rev J G Lane-Davies M.C.

72. Rev A E Laurie M.C.

73. Rev J H Law M.C.

74. Rev H T Lloyd M.C.

75. Rev A Longden M.C.

76. Rev H McCalman M.C.

77. Rev E W McFarland M.C.

78. Rev C C Manning M.C.

79. Rev A S Mayne M.C.

80. Rev L E Michelsen M.C.

81. Rev W F Morris M.C.

82. Rev D W Murray M.C.

83. Rev R T Newcombe M.C.

84. Rev H D Oldfield M.C.

85. Rev R Palmer D.S.O. M.C.

86. Rev A G Parham M.C.

87. Rev S H Phillimore M.C.

88. Rev G D B Poole M.C.

89. Rev A E Popham M.C.

90. Rev C B Prior M.C.

91. Rev D Railton M.C.

92. Rev L G Reed M.C.

93. Rev T H F R Royse M.C.

94. Rev H F Sawbridge M.C.

95. Rev W H N Seeker M.C.

96. Rev E W Smith M.C.

97. Rev A Spence M.C.

98. Rev C Steer M.C.

99. Rev P A Stewart M.C.

100. Rev A H Streeten M.C.

101. Rev A K Swallow M.C.

102. Rev C D Symons M.C.

103. Rev E K Talbot M.C.

104. Rev N S Talbot M.C.

105. Rev E V Tanner M.C.

106. Rev E M Teale M.C.

107. Rev M Tron M.C.

108. Rev E D Tyndall M.C.

109. Rev T J Williams M.C.

110. Rev E G Wells M.C.

111. Rev W J Williams M.C.

112. Rev J D Wood M.C.

113. Rev A BWright M.C.

114. Rev T B Hardy VC DSO MC

115. Rev G A Studdert-Kennedy M.C.

116. Rev E N Mellish V.C. M.C. 1918

117. Rev J Thom M.C. 1916 with 2 bars 1917

118. Rev S F L Green M.C. & bar.

Baptists, Congregationalists Primitive Methodists and United Methodists

1. Rev W C Charteris M.C.

2. Rev J Firth M.C.

3. Rev T W Hart M.C.

4. Rev W Jollans M..C.

5. Rev S J Jones M.C.

6. Rev H Leggate M.C.

7. Rev A R Morgan M.C.

8. Rev J A Patten M.C.

9. Rev A F Reeves M.C.

10. Rev G Smissen M.C.

11. Rev F J Walkely M.C.

12. Rev G F Walters M.C.

13. Rev E J Welsher M.C.

14. Rev H H Woodward M.C.

15. Rev R H Wooldridge M.C.

 

Presbyterians

1. Rev W Crawford M.C.

2. Rev W Ewing M.C.

3. Rev A Gibson M.C.

4. Rev J E Hamilton M.C.

5. Rev W Jardine M.C.

6. Rev D C Lusk M.C.

7. Rev J G Paton M.C.

8. Rev H Reid M.C.

 

[helpjpl]

3 hours ago, Steviebullsatatter said:

I have  a  letter sent from the front to my gr grandmother ,penned by rev wg burgis..

 

 

William Gaisford Burgis was born 08 February 1881 in Oxfordshire and died 03 July 1951 in Staffordshire.

 

Medal Index Card (ancestry):

 

Military Cross - 1918 New Year Honours:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_New_Year_Honours_(MC)

 

JP

 

[Steviebullsatatter]

16 hours ago, helpjpl said:

 

William Gaisford Burgis was born 08 February 1881 in Oxfordshire and died 03 July 1951 in Staffordshire.

 

Medal Index Card (ancestry):

 

Military Cross - 1918 New Year Honours:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_New_Year_Honours_(MC)

 

JP

 

Thanks for posting that...apparently he died ,I am led to believe, on the path at his church 

[nemesis]

interesting thread , Rev Hay Forbes is listed as being chaplain to the 4/5th Royal Highlanders
 

Military Cross ,1914/15 Star ,British War and Victory Medals, GV1 Defence and War Medals awarded to The Reverend ( Captain ) Alexander Hay Forbes Army Chaplains Department and Chaplain to the  Royal Highlanders ( Black Watch ). He was also Senior Chaplain to the 39th Division.

Rev AH Forbes was decorated for Gallantry in the London Gazette dated 9th January 1918, his citation described him as when being under heavy bombardment and machine gun fire leading a party of stretcher bearers to recover and working with the wounded. The date of the citation would indicate that the action would have been in Ypres in September 1917.

He had served in France since November 1915 and had previously been the Minister at Cawdor Church near Inverness.

He was born in Dundee Scotland on the 6th August 1884 and Educated at Dundee High School and St Andrews University , listed as Chaplain to the Forces during the 1914/18 war and  had been Minister at Pathhead ,Elie and Methil in Fifeshire. He was taken off the Reserve call up list in 12 September 1944 due to his age, however he continued to be Gazetted as Chaplain to the Forces. He died aged 90 on the 20 September 1974 and is buried in St Martins Perth.

[nemesis]

On 28/10/2006 at 14:06, Audax said:

Can anyone add to this list pse

Rev Alexander Hay Forbes MC Chaplain to the 4/5 Black Watch. Church of Scotland

Edited 12 February , 2021 by nemesis

[Wexflyer]

On 31/01/2006 at 07:44, Audax said:

The Military Cross was instigated on the 31.12.1914. The list below is far from complete. style_emoticons/#EMO_DIR#/cool.gif

 

Roman Catholic

 

7. Rev F M Browne M.C.

 

 

This is Rev. Frank Browne SJ.

 

He is rather famous as the photographer who took the well-known set of photos on board the Titanic, on its first and last voyage.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Browne

and many articles, such as

https://chiefwritingwolf.com/2012/04/15/photographs-of-titanic-by-father-francis-browne/

where he can be seen in uniform with what appear to be two wound stripes.

 

Some of the photos can be seen with this search

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffsb&q=titanic+f.m+browne+photographs&iax=images&ia=images

 

Oh, and MC and bar.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Browne#/media/File:Cobh-Heritage-Centre-Francis-Browne-War-Decorations.JPG

 

Edited 14 February , 2021 by Wexflyer

[Bradford WW1 Group]

Swann, Charles Gordon, MC, Captain Royal Army Chaplain’s Department, 1878 – 1944

1912 Directory: 6 Camden Terrace, Bradford

St Jude’s Vicarage, Bradford, resigned due to ill health November 1922 (gassed during the war).

MC citation not found.

Swann Charles Gordon Captain Royal Army Chaplain.pdf

[Mark Hone]

I shall be visiting Ypres in May with a friend who was born in the village of Cawdor. I was interested in the story of Revd A.H. Forbes, who had been the minister there. I am presuming that the action for which he was awarded the MC took place during 39th Division's attack at Polygon Wood on 26th September 1917. I've downloaded the battalion War Diary but on first glance I couldn't find a specific mention of him. It must be said that the handwritten portions of the WD are sometimes difficult to decipher!