Abstract:
‘The role of United Board (Baptist and Congregationalist) military chaplaincy during
the Second World War 1939–1945’ explores the role of British (with references to
Empire) Baptist and Congregational Commissioned Chaplains during World War Two
and chaplaincy developments after that war. This thesis does not primarily explore those
chaplains who served as Officiating chaplains, Y.M.C.A. chaplains or those serving
with Toc. H., though they may be occasionally mentioned to provide the larger context.
This thesis aims to tell the story of chaplains from dissenting church traditions who
served during World War Two. This history has received little recognition from, and
has been largely forgotten by, Church and Chaplaincy historians. There is a wealth of
information about Anglican chaplains and their work during World War Two, as most
chaplaincy autobiographies and biographies were written by or about Anglicans. There
are significantly fewer published autobiographies from Church of Scotland and Roman
Catholic chaplains so historians have had to widen their research to find sufficient
material for these denominational Chaplaincy histories. Very little has been written by
or about British Baptist and Congregational chaplains and much of this information is
gleaned from denominational articles that were often written after the war. Additional
information has been gained from letters, memoirs written during and after the war and
questionnaires answered by surviving veterans.
This thesis seeks to explore two key areas of change within Free Church history. Firstly,
it will seek to describe the work and understand the role of U.B. chaplains during the
Second World War and how this Free Church chaplaincy developed particularly in the
post 1960’s chaplaincy services. Secondly, it will seek to define the role of the British
military chaplain and present a new role model that captures the Free Church culture
and principles. This thesis will argue that ‘Liminal Ministry’ is the best way to define
W.W.2 U.B. chaplaincy and offer this model for present chaplaincy service and selfunderstanding.
