THE ROLE OF THE ARMY CHAPLAIN IN
HER MAJESTY'S FORCES
-From A Scottish Perspective
The
Reverend David VF Kingston CF
" If it be the will of God
in this voyage that I doe not returne, I am weel pleased to offer up my Life
for the honour of my God, and the defence of my Countrie, which I apprehend to
be in great hazard both of religion and liberties. I trust to die in the faith
of Christ and heartie love of King Charles."
The Reverend
Robert Baillie Minister of the Church - Writing in 1639
Robert
Baillie's letter written in the 17th Century from a Scottish army camp could
arguably be the "raison d'etre " of every minister of the Church who has served
as a military chaplain However the concept of the man of God serving alongside
the military forces of Crown and State goes back beyond the days of Robert
Baillie to the pre-history of Old Testament times when the presence of the
Priest on the battlefield was accepted before the walls of Jericho fell.
Historical texts tell us that throughout history, it has been customary for
troops to be exhorted into battle by their Priests or Holy men. Indeed when
Julilus Caesar invaded Anglesey he was met by an army of tribesmen who were led
into battle by their religious leaders. Caesar's subsequent massacre of these
Celtic Priests whom he saw as providing a the backbone of the resistance was
meant not just as a show of strength but as a precautionary measure which would
rob the people of their spiritual direction and ensure his permanent conquest
of the island. It has however been argued that Military Chaplaincy in its more
modem sense can be traced back to the year 312AD and Constantine the Great's
defeat of Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge, near Rome.
Constantine's victory led to his conquest of Italy and its final adoption of
the Christian faith. Eusbius writing almost a quarter of a century later
revealed that Constantine had been inspired by a vision in the sky of a radiant
cross, and the words "In Hoc Signo Vinces," which became the official badge of
the Royal Army Chaplains Department in 1930. It was a later suggestion of King
George V that changed the latter to "In This Sign Conquer" which has remained
the motto of the department time ever since. Although the Military Chaplain
first appears in England under the reign of Edward I, it is not until after the
Reformation in 1578 that the Reformed Church of Scotland accepted the necessity
for the attendance of ministers to serve with the army and it established a
precedent that such ministers should be appointed by the Courts of the Church.
It has been argued that the appointment by
James Melville in 1584 of Elders to
manage Kirk discipline over exiled Scots living in England began the practice
of having a Kirk Session in every Scottish Regiment. The Scottish Chaplain
therefore had a more established place, as he now became an integral and
important functionary of his regiment.
On 30th March 1639 John Spalding
writes that the Earl of Montrose, who had taken up arms in defence of
Presbyterianism. " cam not to Abirdene as the toune expectit; but fra the
Lynkis, about 4 efternone, marchit touardis Kintor, with his army in brave
ordour, whair that nicht thay incampit, and Sonday all day also, having thair
awin minister and heiring preiching."
And at the Battle of Edgehill in
October 1642 it was written that "The Chaplains rode up and down the Army
through the thickest dangers, and in much personal hazard, most faithfully and
courageously exhorting and encouraging soldiers to fight valiantly and not to
fly."
The practice of forming Kirk Sessions within the army began in
earnest with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who in 1808 formed "The 93rd
Highlanders' Church " Two sergeants, two corporals and two private soldiers
were appointed as Regimental Kirk Elders and a stipend was paid to its newly
chosen minister, the Rev. Dr George Thom who had been a Church of Scotland
Missionary in Capetown. The Kirk Session was reconstituted in 1934 in
Rawalpindi India with three officers and three other ranks being ordained to
the eldership. Later the Kirk session fell into captivity in Singapore here
much of its communion silver was lost. In 1954 whilst the Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders were based in Bury St. Edmonds its Regimental Kirk Session was once
again reconstituted this time with the help of Elders who travelled from the
Church of Scotland charge of Crown Court Church in London. As a previous
chaplain to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders I can testify to the fact
that the Regimental Kirk Session of that battalion continues to bear witness to
God's Kingdom and is a credit to its calling.
The example set by the Argyll
and Sutherland Highlanders was copied by other Scottish battalions such as the
lst and 2nd Battalions Seaforth Highlanders, lst Battalion Black Watch, 1st
Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers and the 1st Battalion the Gordon
Highlanders. It is hoped that with the recent amalgamation of the lst Battalion
the Gordon Highlanders and the 1st Battalion Queens Own Highlanders that the
Kirk Session of the Gordon Highlanders will be reconstituted as the Kirk
Session of the newly formed 1st Battalion The Highlanders. The Church of
Scotland has continued to provide Ministers of Word and Sacrament to serve
alongside the forces of the crown. Indeed it was the only National Church to
provide a full compliment of Army Chaplains (both Regular and Territorial) when
war broke out in 1939 and continued to meet the call for additional men to the
close of hostilities in 1945. In all 327 Church of Scotland Army Chaplains
volunteered, of whom l7 were killed in action or died in active service, 30
were decorated for valour, and 40 were mentioned in despatches. This record is
unequalled.
It is important to remember, that despite the uniform and the
unique circumstances in which the chaplain operates, that he is a Minister of
Word and Sacrament who works unarmed and who is called to work within the wider
ministry of the Church of Scotland.
Essentially the task that they face is
no different to that of the Parish Minister as they too are called to conduct
regular public worship and administer the sacraments to the people of God.
Organising marriage, conducting funerals, home visitation, visiting the sick,
school chaplaincy and work with the various uniformed organisations are all
tasks to which the military chaplain is called.
However it has been argued
that the chaplain has one immense advantage over their parish brethren in that
" He is intimately sharing the life of his flock from morning till night:
eating the same food, wearing the same clothes, doing the same jobs, enduring
the same discomforts and perils, experiencing the same joys and sorrows,
sharing the same traditions, the esprit de corps, of the unit."
The
chaplain exercises their ministry by almost operating outwith the military rank
structure of the unit in which they serve, despite whatever rank they may carry
on their shoulder. This allows the chaplain to have access to officers and
soldiers alike, for it should never be forgotten that the chaplain is pastor
and confident to the whole unit from the commanding officer down to the
youngest serving private soldier. This is vital in any understanding of how the
military chaplain exercises their ministry within the military context. The
chaplain operates very much alongside those who he is called to serve, and by
doing so becomes very much part of the unit. This occurs very naturally amongst
Scottish battalions who expect to have their own chaplain, preferably, although
not exclusively, from the National Church. It has been said that Scottish
battalions place a tartan blanket around their Padres. There is some truth to
this statement. This is partially due to the culture, which helped raise and
sustain the respective Scottish regiments, and also it is felt that their
chaplain should be able to more readily identify with the "Jocks" with whom
they work.Like any Minister the forces chaplain ministers to the spiritual and
moral needs of the unit, and as such is the Commanding Officer's adviser on the
spiritual and moral welfare of the men. There are times when a quiet word in
the ear of the Commanding Officer or Company Commander can ease the pain of a
sticky welfare situation within the unit.
This does not mean however that
the Chaplain is free to break a person's confidence. Any information, which is
passed on by the chaplain, is given only with the express permission of those
who seek their help. The chaplain therefore will work closely with the Unit
Families Officer, the Army Welfare Service and SSAFA. From basic training, to
working with a regiment, a brigade or a division the chaplain has a vital role
to play. In commenting on the work of the Very Rev.J.Fraser McLuskey sometime
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland who served as
chaplain to the SAS behind the German lines in Northern France in 1944, David
Stirling D.S.O., M.B.E.writes "Yea though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." A Padre
best commends that great truth to those in danger by being there and sharing
the work.....For us his wartime contemporaries in the S.A.S Regiment, he has
remained our, our very own padre and perhaps more importantly, he is regarded
as an honorary, if unofficial, chaplain to the present S.A.S. He knew all about
the wartime strains and stresses of the fighting man and the country at war,
but he also understands the even worse strain on a peace time S.A.S. soldier
whose job it is to confront today's terrorists."
The work of the forces
chaplain is one, which has continued over the centuries, and one, which is as
essential today as it ever was in any age. It is a ministry which has much to
commend it for there are many in our armed forces who seek the friendship of
those who will listen and those who continue to walk the narrow path of the
Kingdom Of God. I would like to close with the words of T.B.Stewart Thomson
M.C., T.D., D.D., and sometime minister at Govan Old Church Glasgow who writes
" As I think of all the rich and manifold opportunities opening before Divinity
students and young ministers who enter upon this sphere of work, whether with
the regular or auxiliary forces of the Crown, I cannot but feel that there is
no higher, no more fruitfully rewarding task to which any Presbyter of our
Church could possibly be called. Had I had my own life to live over again, I
think that it would be as an Army Chaplain that I should most desire to serve
both God and man. " Amen to that.