L Cpl George William Conder, 6th
West Yorks Regiment wrote to his
sister Kathleen Mary Conder, dated
29/8/15, about meeting Rev Whincup
Yesterday morning (Sat) a
clergyman came up our lines
wished us all good morning whom
I guessed rightly to be Rev
Whincup; later it was announced
that a communion service would
be held at 11.30 in the Dressing
Station on the Canal Bank so I
went.
It was a strange scene the first I
have attended since coming here.
Jayes fluid
The Dressing Station was once an
estaminet but now is devoid of
furniture except a few chairs,
stretchers and such like with a few
mirrors. No glass in the windows
and no doors.
The general opinion was that the
room, the service was held in, was
cleaner than it had been since the
civilians left it. It certainly smelt of
Jayes fluid which had been freely
spattered on the stone floor.
A table at the far end had been
covered with a white cloth and the
vessels were neatly arranged on it.
About 50 were there including
three officers.
Rev W addressed a few words to
us before the service saying how
pleased he was to be with us etc
and asking us to be sure to let him
know if there was anything he
could do for any of us.
He also asked whether we
preferred to have the
service standing or
kneeling as the floor
was a bit sloppy in
places and finally left
it optional.
I may say no one
stood. We have knelt
in worse places than a stone floor
with disinfectant on (but he is new
to this life).
It was a quiet impressive service.
Some of the Commandments could
hardly be taken literally especially
about Sundays and covetousness
and other things but we all
responded heartily.
Rice paper wafers inscribed IHS
were used rather to the
embarrassment of one of the few
1st who had never seen the like
and did not know if it were a
keepsake or not until Rev W had to
tell them they were intended to be
eaten at once.
This may sound jocular but isn’t
intended to be a skit. I was serious
enough at the time.
After the service was over I stayed
behind to try and get a word with
Rev W and was pleased I did as he
was very nice.
When I told him my name, at once
knew who I was. Said there was a
facial resemblance to you and said
both he and Mrs W thought very
highly of your useful work in their
parish and etc.
I am afraid he will have many
disappointments during his army
career as a very small percentage
can bring themselves to a state of
mind necessary for Communion
except RC of course who never
miss a chance of Mass!
I told him my view on Compulsory
Church parades when you are
herded with men who ridicule the
whole thing and make one’s blood
boil.
Have had to retire to the safety
trench while the artillery of both
sides have their usual Sunday
morning hate.
It’s funny how spiteful
Sundays seem to be there is
generally an (you will notice
how low my stock of
notepaper has got) attack or
bombardment on Sundays.
L Cpl Conder was killed on 11
October 1915. This is an extract
from his last letter to his mother, dated
four days before
Dear Mother
“It is certainly not my turn yet. So
your prayers are answered so far.
We are quite callous now about
death: one has to be.”
“Have not seen the Rev. Mr.
Whincup for a month, but hear he
was in the trenches the other day.
He always stops and has a word
when we meet.”
We have knelt in worse places than a stone floor
Researched and transcribed by Rev Cat Thatcher, Bradford Cathedral from Private Papers of G W Conder at Imperial War Museum