The Fighting Padre: Letters From the Trenches 1915-1918 of Pat Leonard DSO

Name: The Fighting Padre: Letters From the Trenches 1915-1918 of Pat Leonard DSO
Rating: 4.27 (11 reviews)
Author: Leonard, John and Leonard-Johnson, Philip (edited by)
ISBN: 9781848841598

Leonard, John and Leonard-Johnson, Philip (edited by)

11 ratings by Goodreads

Language: English

Published by Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley, 2010

1848841590 / 9781848841598

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235 x 155 mm. x, 246 pp + 16 pages of b&w plates.

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Title: The Fighting Padre: Letters From the Trenches 1915-1918 of Pat Leonard DSO
Author: Leonard, John and Leonard-Johnson, Philip (edited by)
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley
Publication year: 2010
Condition: Fine
Dust jacket: Fine
Binding: Hardback
Language: English
ISBN 10: 1848841590
ISBN 13: 9781848841598
Seller catalogs: Military

Pat Leonard served throughout the Great War as a Chaplain to the Forces in France, Belgium and, after the Armistice, in Germany. Along with the many hundreds of letters he wrote to the relatives of those 'parishioners' who died or were wounded, he found time to describe for his parents back at home the awful reality of life in the Trenches, and on the makeshift aerodromes from which the pilots of the Royal Flying Corps operated from the Observer's seat which liberated his spirit from the mud of Flanders.Very much a 'front-line' priest, his descriptions provide an unusually objective view of army life, and of the job of the multi-tasked chaplain who was expected to undertake the roles of counsellor, comforter, caterer, censor, entertainments officer and sports supreme to name but a few. The extracts selected from his letters are full of detail, humour, self deprecation and just sometimes when judged by today's standards, mild 'political incorrectness'!Known as 'a veritable fighting parson' (because of his prowess in the boxing ring) he also played rugby for the RAF, was mentioned in dispatches, and was decorated for bravery.9 0 years have passed before this opportunity arises to share his account of a life which the world remembers as 'dreadful beyond belief'. Reading it demonstrates that despite the ghastliness, human qualities emerged with which we should all be proud.Pat Leonard was born in 1889 into a clergy family in Cumbria, MPG (Pat) Leonard went from being Head of School at Rossall to Oriel College, Oxford on a mathematics scholarship. After graduating and obtaining a TA Commission in the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, Leonard served as a curate in a Manchester parish before being accepted as Chaplain to the 8th Battalion, the King's Own, from September 1915 in the battlefields of the Somme Awarded the DSO for bravery and mentioned in dispatches, he transferred to the RFC in early 1918. After the war he was much involved in the development and growth of TocH throughout the world. Subsequently after a period as Rector of Hatfield and ten years in Glasgow as Provost of St Mary's Cathedral he was consecrated Bishop of Thetford in 1953. About The Editors: John and Philip Leonard are Pat's sons. John lives near Winchester.

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Review

It is perhaps rather sad that 90 years have elapsed between the events that Pat Leonard witnessed, and today when we can now read his fascinating account of life in the Trenches with the Infantry, and his life above the Trenches with the Royal Flying Corps. But perhaps the passage of time has served to make the gulf between the horrors of the First World War and our life today that much more stark. Our admiration for that generation has grown and grown as the years have passed. Pat Leonard's graphic and compassionate account, based on his personal letters, add significantly to our understanding of that generation.

Pat Leonard was no ordinary soldier. He was a chaplain. The business of battle plans and the conduct of fighting were not for him. His focus was on people - the very fabric of an Army. It is people that make an Army, and it is well motivated and properly led people that make an Army successful. The British Army in 1914-1918 was placed under huge pressure, endured horrendous casualties and existed in almost unbelievable conditions. This was Padre Pat Leonard's parish, and he relished the challenge. His account of conditions, of conversations and of crises all make now for compelling reading, but trying to place oneself today in his boots then almost defies logic. He was a remarkable man, serving remarkable men but held true to his remarkable faith, which he freely shared. And with Padre "Tubby" Clayton, he continued his work amongst young people through Toc H, leaving a legacy that still endures.

Pat Leonard lived a very full life. Having survived the Western Front, his ministry was valued by many throughout the country and overseas. His final appointment as Bishop of Thetford was no retirement job either. Norfolk is a wonderful County, but the spiritual needs are as great there as elsewhere and Bishop Leonard kept his hand to the plough until his dying days. This fighting padre battled on many fronts, but has left this wonderful record for those of us who come after him to reflect on and from which to draw huge encouragement. From his writings, a reader gets a real feel for the man and his times - I would have loved to have met this man. In the service of our God, he was truly remarkable. --General Sir Richard Dannatt

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The Fighting Padre: Letters From the Trenches 1915-1918 of Pat Leonard DSO

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