Irish Catholic Chaplains in W.W.I.

[XANDRA]

I  am researching a  History of  St. Nathy's College  in  Ballaghadereen co Roscommon Ireland for  the  bicentenary in 2010 . We had  two young  teacher  priests  who volunteered  to  become  Chaplains , in  the  first  world  war , Fr . Felix Burke and Fr. Michaels Louis Henry . Both  returned  and we have  found  our  that  Father Burke  was with  the  16th Division and  was  cited  in  reports  for  bravery . Any  information  about either  but  especially  Father  Henry  would  be wonderful .

[forester]

Hell Xandra,

I can find an index card for Fr Burke's Mention in Dispatches and it is cited in the London Gazette, Issue 29890, Page 251. It's only a one liner.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/home.aspx?geotype=London

I can't find a medal index card for either, so far. As officers, they would have to apply for their medals and may not have done so.

I haven't spotted their service records on the National Archives catalogue either.

Liverpool Annie is the Chaplain enthusiast 

Phil

[fordy]

I  am researching a  History of  St. Nathy's College  in  Ballaghadereen co Roscommon Ireland for  the  bicentenary in 2010 . We had  two young  teacher  priests  who volunteered  to  become  Chaplains , in  the  first  world  war , Fr . Felix Burke and Fr. Michaels Louis Henry . Both  returned  and we have  found  our  that  Father Burke  was with  the  16th Division and  was  cited  in  reports  for  bravery . Any  information  about either  but  especially  Father  Henry  would  be wonderful .

From the Army Lists....

Temporary Chaplains to the Forces:

Roman Catholic:

Burke, Rev. F. 18 Nov 1915
Henry, Rev. L. 15 May 1916

[liverpool annie]

Well I found one MIC !!

Medal card of Burke, Rev F
Army Chaplain's Department
Temporary Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class
Date
1914-1920

http://www.rootschat.com/links/04cs/

[forester]

Hello Annie  ,

That's the Mentioned in Dispatches card that is on A***y as well. There's absolutely no information on it other than the Gazette date and page.

Phil 

[liverpool annie]

Hi Phil !

My Oracle on GWF says it is strange that there a no medal index cards - 

You'd have thought that these would exist even if the medals were never claimed by the 'officers' in question

I went through 648 MIC's for Temporary Chaplains .... theres about 2500 for "regular" Chaplains .... I'll go through them and see what I can find !! 

See yer in a week !! 

PS ........ I meant to say ... Nice find Fordy !! 

[liverpool annie]

They really must be difficult to find .... ( if the one person I know who could find them - can't !! ) .........  apart from the Mentioned in Dispatches card for Burke - there doesn't appear to be medal cards or Service or Officers files for either and searching in the gazette is difficult also ! ..... but .......

Rev L Henry appears to have travelled to France 3.9.1917 and been demobilzed 25.2.1919

Rev F Burke appears to have travelled to Frnace 19.12.1915 and relinquished his commission 17.11.1918

(Information from Officer's Movement Records)

[XANDRA]

Hi Folks ,
 Greetings  and on  behalf  of  the  Principal  staff and  my  humble  self from  St. Nathy's  many many  thanks  for  the  information .

xandra

[XANDRA]

I have  come  across one  local  village  historian  who  reported  that Father  Henry  had  disciplinary action  taken  against  him ,  we  would  like  to  know  if  there  are  any  documents  to  prove  or  disprove  this  and  we  would  love  to  know  which regiments  that  he  served  with . thanking  you