Wednesday 6th October 1915: Rev. S J Sullings, the Wesleyan Chaplain with the 1st/5th Beds Regiment, at the Dardanelles has told us: “We have a little improvement in our conditions, are deepening our dug-outs and making sand-bag enclosures for our further protection. We are having a rough time, but that does not matter. We endure hardness as good soldiers and we all bear the burden together”.
He told us that some weeks ago: “I went into the dressing-station and stayed the weekend. I conducted two services, while not far away the battle was raging and snipers were busy. At each service I spoke from Hebrews, Chapter 12 – “He endured as seeing Him who is invisible”. How the men appreciate one’s ministry and one’s presence! It is worth-while coming. One of the lads was at the morning service, went on 1,000 yards to dig himself in with others, and a sniper caught him and by 5 pm he was back at the dressing station badly wounded”.
“I had a chat with the Headquarters Staff and a cup of tea, and finished up an exciting day by bringing back to the base (three miles) a young officer who was suffering from nervous shock(1). One day here among the sick and wounded and dying, bucking them up and getting among them cheerfully is of more value than twelve months’ service in peace time”.
The Rev. S J Sullings was with the 1st/5th Beds at Bury Saint Edmunds, Norwich and at Saint Albans during their training, and is very much esteemed by officers and men”.
Source: Bedfordshire Times 24th September 1915
(1) Neurasthenia, also known as “shell-shock”.
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