MossValley Home
Continuing the transcript of
Fifty Years of Sheffield Church Life
1866-1916
by
The Rev. W. Odom
[ photo ]
Hon. Canon of Sheffield
PREVIOUS | NEXT
or see full chapter list with descriptions, and illustrations
Chapter V
HEELEY AND THE WAR
Not once or twice in our fair island-story,
The path of duty was the way to glory:
He, that ever following her commands,
On with toil of heart and knees and hands,
Thro' the long gorge to the far light has won
His path upward, and prevail'd,
Shall find the toppling crags of Duty scaled
Are close upon the shining table-lands
To which our God Himself is moon and sun.
For nearly three years there has raged the most terrible war the world has ever witnessed – one in which its five continents are involved. Everywhere mighty upheavals and changes, dramatic and unexpected, are taking place in national, social, commercial, and religious life. In addition to the great world Empires, other lands, the names of which are familiar to Bible readers, as Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, Salonika (Thessalonica), and Mesopotamia (cradle of the human race), are entangled in the terrible conflict.
Apart from the unspeakable tragedies by land and sea, confiscation, deportation, and slavery, innumerable deaths on the battlefield and in hospitals, huge liners, hospital ships, and merchant vessels have been torpedoed and mined, towns and villages laid in ruinous heaps, cathedrals and churches ruthlessly wrecked, countless homes ruined, and fruitful fields transformed into desert wastes. In places not a few there is "a régime of misery which no civilized people would dare to impose upon its worst criminals".
A powerful foe, clever, unscrupulous, and ambitious, has employed methods most barbaric, and perpetrated deeds unspeakably cruel, callous, and cowardly. Might has been arrayed against Right. The law of nations and the most sacred dictates of humanity have been openly violated. Acts of savagery have been done which have startled and horrified the world. "For Britain and for France it has been the most heroic and stern passage in all their annals."
In this gigantic struggle the killed and wounded are numbered by millions. At the close of 1916 in the burial grounds of France and Belgium the bodies of more than 150,000 brave British soldiers lay at rest. The cost in money to our own nation alone has increased to seven million daily, besides which vast sums are being voluntarily contributed to war charities. To "The Times Fund" alone, up to April, 1917, there had been contributed on behalf of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John in aid of the sick and wounded upwards of six and a half millions.
From July, 1914, the history of the British Empire is crowded with records of heroic actions and unparalleled sacrifices in the sacred cause of liberty, truth, and righteousness. For love of country brave men and youths have freely offered all they could — their lives. As The Times says, "the very flower of our young manhood has died for its country. No Ralegh, or Sidney, or Gilbert ever went to death with a higher heart than those young men of ours upon whom the end of the world had come". To-day, myriads of wives and parents hold their husbands and lads who have fallen "in proud and loving memory".
In this terrible struggle Sheffield has taken a foremost place. Not to speak of the thousands who have offered themselves for active service, there has been the great army of workers at home – men, women, and girls in our large works forging weapons of war, thus transforming our city into the greatest arsenal in the world.
In 1916, before the Derby scheme was instituted or compulsory powers became operative, nearly nine hundred Heeley men and youths promptly responded to the urgent call – "YOUR KING AND COUNTRY WANT YOU". Bidding farewell to home, and setting aside future prospects, they were ready to face hardship and death. The names of these appear on the Roll of Honour in the church. So heavy has been the toll of war that nearly a hundred of these have fallen. The war has not only discovered new and unexpected powers, and made men – brave men – but it has also revealed heroes. We are learning that it is not what a man gains that makes him great, it is what he gives.
Of the Heeley men who so promptly rallied to the call of duty nearly sixty were communicant members of our Church. Referring to our 1908 list of choir boys, I find that out of twenty, at least sixteen are now serving their Country.
Of bright, brave lads, many of whom I baptized and presented for Confirmation, the following communicant members of our congregation have made the great sacrifice:
Private Jasper Bower (aged 22), York & Lanc. Regt. Fell in France early in July, 1916.
Private John Richard Carding-Wells (aged 21), York & Lanc. Regt. Fell in France, July 1st, 1916.
Lance-Corporal Thomas Axelby Earnshaw (aged 24), Royal Welsh Fusiliers, R.A.M.C. Fell in France, April 25th, 1916.
Second-Lieut. Arthur Hoult (aged 22), East Yorks. Regt. Died in France, November 17th, 1916.
Harold Parkin (aged 32), of the New Zealand Contingent, fell at the Dardanelles, August 8th, 1915.
Private John Wilfred Gill (aged 21), York & Lanc. Regt. Reported missing, July 1st, 1916; since reported killed.
Amongst fallen sons of members of the congregation are:
Private Joseph Dent (aged 17), member of Bible Class, fell at Loos, September, 1916.
Private Dudley Rees Jones (aged 19), York & Lanc. Regt., fell in France, July 28th, 1915.
A.B. Seaman Harry Lindley (aged 23), went down October 15th, 1914, with H.M.S. "Hawke".
A.B. Seaman John Andrew Mason (aged 28), went down with H.M.S. "The Black Prince", at Jutland Bank, May, 1916.
Private Frank Sarginson (aged 32), Yorks. Light Infantry, fell in France, October 26th, 1914.
A noble army – men and boys,
. . . . . .
They climb'd the steep ascent of heaven,
Through peril, toil, and pain.
Reginald H. Mason, communicant and member of our Men's Bible Class, has been a civil prisoner of war at Ruhleben since August, 1914.
Before me is a large pile of letters from camp, trench, and hospital, telling of hardship, privation, and suffering, but all radiant with hopeful courage. Written in Egypt, Salonika, the Dardanelles, "Somewhere in France", or elsewhere, by dear Church lads who, in the cause of all that Englishmen hold dear, have faced the fires as heroically as did the three Hebrew youths in the days of king Nebuchadnezzar.
The first Sheffield man to receive the great honour of the Victoria Cross was an old scholar of our Day and Sunday Schools, a member of our Boys' Brigade – Sergeant-Major J. C. Raynes, who, on his recovery, visited his old school, received a warm welcome from the vicar, teachers, and scholars, and in a simple, unassuming manner, after handing round his V.C. to the scholars, offered a few words of advice to the lads. He was severely wounded at Loos. His brave actions are officially described thus:
No. 36380. Sergeant-Major J. C. Raynes (Royal Field Artillery). For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. On 11th Oct., 1915, at Fosse 7 de Bethune, his Battery was being heavily bombarded by armour-piercing and gas shells. On "Cease Fire" being ordered Sergeant-Major (then Acting Sergeant) Raynes went out under an intense shell fire to assist Sergeant Ayres, who was lying wounded forty yards away. He bandaged him and returned to his gun, when it was again ordered into action. A few minutes later "Cease Fire" was again ordered owing to the intensity of the enemy fire, and Sergeant-Major Raynes, calling on two gunners to help him – both of whom were killed shortly afterwards – went out and carried Sergeant Ayres into a dug-out. A gas shell burst at the mouth of the dug-out, and Sergeant-Major Raynes once more ran across the open, fetched his own smoke helmet, put it on Sergeant Ayres, and then, himself badly gassed, staggered back to serve his gun. On 12th Oct., 1915, at Quality Street, a house was knocked down by a heavy shell, four men being buried in the house and four in the cellar. The first man rescued was Sergeant-Major Raynes wounded in the head and leg, but he insisted on remaining under heavy shell fire to assist in the rescue of all the other men. Then, after having his wounds dressed, he reported himself immediately for duty with his Battery, which was again being heavily shelled.
[NB: there is a good page, with photos and more information on John Raynes, at Chris Hobbs' site here.]
Many other brave and heroic actions have been done by Heeley men, several of whom have received the Distinguished Service Medal. Co.-Sergeant-Major Harold Keetley, a communicant, whom I had the privilege of presenting for Confirmation, has been awarded the Military Cross for gallant conduct in France.
The letters of my young friends who have so courageously faced "the discipline of facts and life", several of whom, alas, will be no more seen on earth, emphasize the fact that we live in deeds, not years. As we read these letters and think of mothers and wives who are proud of their very sorrows, we thank God for all the courage and devotion to duty which have been displayed.
One of our Sunday School teachers, who took sunshine with him wherever he went, wrote not long before he fell, and, after thanking me for the Easter card, &c., which I had sent him, said:
"You will be pleased to know that I made my Easter communion on Easter Sunday morning [1916]. We are expecting to be going up to the trenches again on Tuesday. We often think of those very happy Sundays we have spent in the dear old Parish Church of Heeley. I can assure you, as we are not forgotten in your prayers, so, too, do we out here remember those who minister and are carrying on such a good and noble work at Heeley. It is comforting to know that God is with us always, and that we can turn to Him at all times. No one knows the value of religion like to the soldier, where it is life or death every minute."
— J.R.C-W.
A little earlier he had written, enclosing a P.O. 2/5 for a special collection, as "a little thank-offering to God for His great goodness". Although absent from church and home, he took a deep interest in missions, as evidenced by the fact that his C.M.S. box for the past year showed contributions amounting to £2. 7s. 3d. Here are words from a last letter written shortly before he fell:
"I spent my twenty-first birthday under fire. Left camp at 6 p.m. Came back at 5.30 a.m. Had to walk ten miles to work and ten back – then had to stand with water over ankles and work."
— J.R.C-W.
A devoted Sunday School teacher and Church worker, in a letter to me confirming the report of the death of his fellow-teacher just named, says:
"The order came to attack, and John, with his fellow-bombers, charged into an inferno of shell and machine gun fire, in a magnificent attempt to wrest from the Germans a very, very strong point. He seems to have been with two others when a shell struck them; he and another were killed on the spot, and the other was badly wounded. How bravely he died; we are all very proud that so many, in fact all of our Battalion, did such magnificent deeds, and won for the York and Lanc. Regt. such undying fame. I shall never forget the Holy Communion we had before the charge. John was there. The Y.M.C.A. was crowded to over-flowing. Whilst the chaplain walked round administering, we sang 'Lead, kindly Light', and other hymns. But a few brief hours and a good many had made the great sacrifice. I have been mercifully spared up to the present, although I have been in fierce bombardments. My shrapnel helmet has always stopped the pieces which might have wounded me."
— W.H.B.
In another letter (August, 1916) the same writer says:
"Last night, about 11.30, three of us had a narrow escape. It was very moonlight, and as we were returning to our post across the open country, a machine gun was turned upon us. The bullets fell around like rain, but I am glad to say they did not strike any of the party. I do feel that the prayers of our people at home are of great value, but fully realize that whatever happens will be God's will. For nearly a fortnight I have been fortunate enough to have a little dug-out, where several of us have met each evening for prayer and praise. Sometimes we have had seven present, as duty would allow. How much strengthened we have been by this! Once or twice we could hardly hear each other speak for the sound of battle. Our favourite Psalm is the 91st – 'Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day'; I gave a little talk on the 'Temptation of Jesus Christ', and one evening another chap spoke about 'Prayer'. Almost every one of my old friends is gone. Before many more letters pass between us you will have handed over your work at Heeley. I thank God for that ministry which by its faithful obedience to God's will has helped me along year after year, and led me to such strength which, though living in a kind of exile, has never left me, but steadily increased."
— W.H.B.
Here are extracts from letters, written shortly before he fell, by another of our dear lads, drummer in our Church Lads' Brigade Company, whom I baptized as an infant and prepared for Confirmation:
"I spent Easter [1916] quietly. We had a Parade Service, and then I went to Communion, and on Easter Monday we were digging trenches. We have got to go through a very trying time before I shall be able to come home. I shall be glad when this wretched war is over. My hymn is the brigade hymn, 'Fight the good fight'."
— J.B.
"[May.] I went to a service in the trenches in range of machine gun bullets, but all the same I enjoyed it as if it were in our peaceful church at home. As it says in the Prayer Book, 'Where two or more are gathered together in My Name there am I in the midst of them', and I can tell you I fairly felt Him there, although the shells were whistling above us. Please pray for me and all the other soldiers, and pray earnestly that we may all be spared to see England again."
— J.B.
In August, 1916, a sympathetic letter from his officer announcing his death says:
"He went into action on July 1st, and unfortunately must have been hit very early in the attack as he was not seen afterwards. He has since been posted as killed in action, so that his body was found, and has been given a Christian burial. ... He was one of the oldest members of the platoon, and was respected by all who knew him. He was a regular communicant, and missed very few opportunities of attending the Church services out here, setting a good example to all."
Without doubt the war has everywhere revived both the belief in and the practice of prayer. To these dear Church lads Holy Communion meant very much. I read in The Times the following weighty words, which I am constrained to give:
"Holy Communion means more than in days of peace. It belongs to a story with a Death in it, and the soldier may die to-morrow. It is the Last Supper, and it is the more fitting because it is the last. 'I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine until I drink it new in the Kingdom of God'. The stillness of the hour is the stillness that comes before the bursting of the storm. The soldier draws near, whatever be the way, to an Act in the light of which, if anywhere, he can see the meaning of life and death, and in the strength of the memory and the fellowship which it brings he can go out into the night. The Last Supper belongs to a world which now he can understand better than once he did."
Another lad, a communicant, in sending his best wishes for a happy and peaceful New Year, writes:
"I am happy to say we had a pretty decent Christmas [1916]. We did not forget the good old Christmas hymns, and it really did sound fine to hear all the lads join in singing them. May God grant that your prayers for us will be answered, and that we shall all soon be back to those at home whom we so much miss. I do hope you will be able to call on my dear mother to cheer her up a little, for I know she is taking it hard. I shall only be too pleased to call on you the first time I get home. God bless you is my heartfelt prayer for one who has been to me a great friend."
— R.H.
Yes, these dear lads think oft-times of mother and home and church. All will be sevenfold dearer to them on their return.
Another old C.L.B. lad, an earnest Sunday school teacher, enthusiastic in Foreign Missions, who before joining the Army was a student of the Stephenson Hall Hostel, writes:
"You will no doubt have heard about our arrival in France. Our stay in Egypt was very short, and we saw much that was new and interesting. I was very proud indeed to hear of our Heeley V.C., especially when I found out that he was an old scholar of our school. ... Speaking of Confirmation reminds me of my own, when I, too, promised to fight manfully on the side of Christ against sin. It has been a hard fight, and there have been so many times when it would seem as if I were completely beaten, but it is in moments like those that one realizes one's own weakness, and it is worth all the world to learn, because then one can throw oneself unreservedly upon the mercy and strength of Christ, Who is able to supply all that we lack. I often attend Holy Communion. You would be surprised if you could see the sorts of places we have to use for our service – old sheds, tents, and canteens. Still, the place does not matter. My own particular work has to be done every day, Sundays included, so you can well understand what a privilege it is to be able to kneel at the Lord's Table. My experiences of past months have made me realize more fully than ever I did at home the real meaning and value of Holy Communion. Our chaplain has proved a great help to my spiritual life, and many a conversation that we have had together has been of much strength and comfort to me. Here you get face to face with all that is real. I have begun to realize how vainly I used to map out my life according to my own ambitions and ideas. Now I realize that my life is not for myself but for others, and above all for the purpose ordained by God."
— W.A.F.
"This Easter [1916] has been just what I have wished it to be – a time of true happiness and peace. I managed to attend two of the four short services for Easter. On Good Friday evening our simple wooden hut was crowded out. We knelt as it were at the foot of the Cross, and there learnt afresh of the love of God for us, and of our sinfulness which caused the Supreme Sacrifice to be offered on Calvary. At 5.30 a.m. on Easter Day I knelt with many others before the Lord's Table, fully assured of the presence and blessing of our Risen Lord. I thought of home and wished that I could have been with you at Heeley, and prayed very earnestly for our Church and parish that each one might realize more fully than ever the true Easter joy. I was so pleased to see among the names of the newly-confirmed a number of my old Sunday scholars. My thoughts often turn back to the happy days at Hartley Street, and I see before me the faces of those dear lads who sat around me Sunday by Sunday. I am so proud of the fact that so many have taken upon themselves the Baptismal vow, and promised by God's grace to be Christ's faithful soldiers and servants unto their lives' end. Please tell them that I often think of and pray for them, and hope to see them again soon. The Heeley lads who are with us are, like myself, looking forward to the time when we can all return and render our Te Deum Laudamus in the dear old church."
— W.A.F.
Another of our brave Heeley lads, engaged in ambulance work (R.A.M.C.), an attached communicant member of our Church and Bible Class, writes:
"Our division has now been withdrawn from the firing line, and at present we are awaiting certain events. We are also getting our strength made up, as we have lost a lot of officers and men during our two months in the firing line. It will interest you to know that the country I am in is spoken of in the Bible. St. Paul preached here, and founded the Christian Church. During the two months our Division was in action I had some very narrow escapes from death. One day a comrade and myself were proceeding to the trenches to bring in a wounded man to our field hospital, when a high explosive shell burst in front of us, blowing both of us off our feet. We got a good shaking up, and were none the worse. Another time, while sat outside our dug-outs, an enemy's aeroplane flying overhead dropped bombs on the camp and hospital. Eight were wounded, none killed. Another time, our ambulance was going in action to collect wounded, and render medical and surgical aid to those who so much needed it. On our way we had to cross a plain facing the enemy's position, which was on a range of very high hills. As soon as the enemy caught sight of us they opened rapid shell fire, wounding several of our chaps. How the words, 'In the midst of life we are in death' come home to one out here, when you are surrounded by death on every side – land mines, snipers, rifle and shell fire. The following will give you some idea of a battle scene I took part in.
"The time was night, the country hilly and covered with rocks. The enemy were entrenched on the heights above the sea level in a strong position, the ground in front of them mined, with barbed wire entanglements in front of their first line of trenches. Our troops were entrenched at the bottom, and some half way up the slopes, covered by their artillery and the fleet which was close in shore. Our field ambulance took up the rear, in readiness for the battle to start, which was going to be a general attack all along the line. At four in the afternoon, the fleet of battleships, destroyers, and one or two monitors opened fire on the enemy's positions. We could see the flash of the guns, as our brave sailors fired them, hear the loud report, hear the shells whistle through the air over our heads, while we lay in readiness to take our part in the action. The shells dropped among the enemy's trenches. We could see the earth blown up in some places. It seemed as if the hills would be blown away. The fleet kept bombarding till darkness set in. Then they ceased, while the infantry advanced, covered by the land guns, which kept up a constant fire. I shall never forget the terrible scene. Dead lay heaps upon heaps, dying and wounded in hundreds. We worked hard all night, attending the worst cases, removing them to the ambulance wagons, which took them to the field hospital, where they were dressed, sent down to the shore, shipped on board a hospital ship, which took them to the base hospitals. One day, while talking to a wounded soldier in our field hospital, he showed me a Bible that had saved his life. He kept it in his left tunic pocket just over his heart, and the bullet which struck him went straight into the Bible, stopping half way in it."
— H.G.H.
Here is an extract from a letter (October, 1916), from the same brave fellow:
"Thanking you for remembering one so far away from home and all that is dear to me. Having read our Parish Magazine and booklets, I passed them on to my comrades. I was deeply moved when I read of the brave men of our Church who had laid down their lives for King and Country. I hope that the National Mission will prove a blessing, especially to those who have lost relations and friends in action. I was interested to read that a Roll of Honour had been placed in the church, and trust at the close of the war a worthy Memorial will be erected in our church to the memory of those fallen."
— H.G.H.
Deeply touching have been the many kind expressions of personal regard in letters from several of these dear lads. Says one:
"Everything will seem very strange at Heeley when we return, but I trust that you, yourself, will be there to welcome us, because we are your lads, and to introduce us to the new vicar, whoever he may be. It is so comforting to know that we are still one in Christ Jesus. Heeley will always be dear to us all, and I trust to be able to work there as in days gone by."
One of our C.L.B. lads, a communicant member of Heeley Church, had a miraculous escape when the hospital ship, "The Anglia", was sunk in the Channel, and seventy-two lives lost, November 17th, 1915. This we give in his own graphic words:
"I was aboard the hospital ship 'Anglia'. We left Boulogne at 11 a.m., and all went well until we sighted the cliffs of Dover. It was then 12.40 p.m. About a minute later a very loud explosion occurred. We knew what that meant. Everybody did what they ought not to have done: run about and do all sorts of things. Meanwhile the ship took a very nasty tilt; the front part was already under water. Everybody rushed for the boats, but alas! they did not know how to manipulate one until two of the seamen went up, and lowered one full. There was a bad swell on at the time, so half of them got tippled out into the water. As far as I remember there was only this one boat lowered. Coming towards us at full speed was a gunboat. She ran right alongside of us, and some of the lucky ones managed to jump on to her as she went by. She came back, and floated about twenty or thirty yards away, and anybody who could swim, swam to it. Of course, there was a great many of us who could not swim, so we stuck to the ship, and watched those who could. The ship gave another nasty tilt, and she now had her stern high in the air. Well, I managed to get a life-belt, and slipped this on. I thought if I could not swim I would float. It was a terrible sight to see the wounded men crawling up the gangway on to the deck, lying there to go down with the ship, some with legs off, others with arms off. We could not help them. As luck would have it I saw a lot of life-belts in a cabin, so I started dashing these out to them. Meanwhile, another boat had come quite close, and started picking some up. She managed to save quite a lot, when, just as she was breaking all records, up she went. In my opinion we were both torpedoed.
"Well, I stuck to the old ship, and she gradually started to go, foot by foot. Up came a great big wave, and this polished her off – also me for the time being. What a sensation! All my breath was squeezed out of my body, and I gave myself up. Down, down, down – what a depth, and how I did struggle! It seemed years! At last I came up, caught half a breath, and clung to a box. I then got dashed against an upturned boat, and almost let go my box. I had lost my life-belt. Wave upon wave came, and absolutely drowned me. Well, I kept hold as long as I could, but my strength was gradually giving way, and I was almost giving way when something banged my head, and I was grasped by the hair and lifted up, and then someone else collared hold of me, and between them they got me into the boat, and I don't remember anything until we landed back at the gunboat. I managed to struggle up the gangway, and they carried me down into the mess-room. I very soon got into a blanket after being rubbed down, and am now very much at home in hospital."
— B.R.
A young parishioner, who lost both legs, writes from a London hospital:
"Speaking for myself I may say that I still find that there is a good deal to live for, and I am determined to try and be cheerful, although it comes awfully hard at times. ... With respect to the surgeons and nurses here I may say that any fellow could wish for none better. They go far beyond expectations, and that is saying a very great deal. The chaplain also is a very nice chap, and I have a chat with him every evening. I like him because he is very cheery and makes me forget, as indeed they all try so to do. Please call upon my mother and tell her that I am doing fine."
— F.K.
For months the vicarage almost assumed the character of a public office, for the giving of advice and the witnessing of signatures to forms by dependents and relations of soldiers and sailors. Some days visitors numbered from ten to twenty. Intermixed with much that was pathetic and sad, there were at times touches of the humorous. For example, the wife of a fallen soldier brought her five little children. It was my duty to witness her signature and to testify that I had seen the children, and that they were alive, of which there was ample evidence. Shortly afterwards came the mother of a sailor who had perished in the waters, the testatrix of his will. She brought with her two householders to testify that her statement was true. I had to seal the testimony of the three. But that was not all; evidence of identification was required, and I had to state her height, the colour of her eyes and hair, the tone of her complexion, and "any observable peculiarity of person".
It has been of deep interest to find how many of the fallen I baptized and married. Said a mother who had lost her son: "You married me, you baptized my four children, buried two, and married the one now killed". Another to whom I had given a memorial card said: "This is the third kindness you have done – you married me; you baptized my boy, and now you have given me this". Again and again in visiting the bereaved, sorrowing, and an anxious, I have been deeply touched, and oft-times it has been difficult to find words of comfort and consolation.
As I write, the clouds are still very dark, but the dawn of Peace for which we pray and hope may be nearer than we suppose. Not a few good men see visions, and dream dreams. But amid perplexing dimness and deep anxiety, above the tumult of warfare and the upheaval of nations, appears the promise of a brighter age, when nation shall not rise up against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. The Morning Cometh, when the storm-clouds shall break, and the shadows flee away.
Ah! when shall all men's good
Be each man's rule, and universal Peace
Lie like a shaft of light across the land,
And like a lane of beams athwart the sea,
Through all the circle of the Golden Year!
Return to
Beginning of this chapter
PREVIOUS | NEXT
or browse the chapter contents and illustrations below
Full Contents
|
I
|
Sheffield in the 'Sixties
The author's reminiscences of 'Old Sheffield' and its inhabitants.
|
|
II
|
The Church in Sheffield, 1866-1916
Brief history of the church in Sheffield and its development, timetable of subjects and tutors from an Educational Institute Class List of 1866, clergy names, benefactors, details of churches/parishes, etc — this chapter has been split into two pages, the link taking you to the first of these.
|
|
III
|
Memories of St. Simon's, 1877-1888
Details of this parish in one of the most densely-populated areas of Sheffield, anecdotes, names, etc.
|
|
IV
|
Christ Church, Heeley, 1888-1916
History, descriptions and anecdotes of Heeley before it became developed, names of residents, and a comprehensive account of the author's incumbency, including details of the church extensions, building of the Sunday Schools, fundraising, collections and expenditure, a little about Nonconformists, names of curates/scripture readers/deaconesses/churchwardens etc, and the author's eventual retirement — this chapter has been split into two pages, the link taking you to the first of these.
|
|
V
|
THIS PAGE: Heeley and the War.
|
|
VI
|
Recollections – Men and Things
Many names and anecdotes of clergy, laymen and others known and befriended during the author's ministry — this chapter has been split into two pages, the link taking you to the first of these.
|
|
VII
|
Books and Travel
Author's favourite reading, details and a bibliography of other published work, and travel.
|
|
VIII
|
In Memoriam – Mary Odom
A very personal tribute from the author to his wife, Mary, who died in 1913.
|
|
IX
|
"God and Cæsar." A Sermon preached before the Mayor and Corporation.
Text of a sermon preached at Sheffield Parish Church in 1887.
|
|
X
|
"Public Worship – its Methods." A Paper read at the Islington Clerical Meeting, London, 1903.
Text includes the author's observations on the principles established at the time of the Reformation, the dangers of a return to 'mediaevalism', and public worship as laid out in the Book of Common Prayer.
|
|
—
|
Names of Subscribers
(the names of over 250 subscribers listed alphabetically by surname, of interest to those who may be "ancestor hunting" (in many cases only initials are given, not christian names).
Please note these are only the names of pre-publication subscribers as printed in the book, but many more individuals are mentioned in the text whose names have not been indexed. Throughout this transcript most names have been highlighted in bold at least once (not necessarily if they are repeated). If searching for specific surnames, place names or any other information through the various chapters, make use of the Find or Search facility in your browser while on each page.
|
Illustrations from the book — click thumbnails for enlargement in a new window
(for chapters and contents, see list above)
|
Interior of Sheffield Cathedral Church
(St Peter & St Paul)
|
|
The Bishop of Sheffield, Leonard Hedley Burrows, D.D.,
to whom the book is dedicated
|
|
St. Simon's Church, Sheffield (covered in Chapter III)
|
|
Christ Church, Heeley: exterior
(the author's time at Heeley is described in Chapter IV, while Chapter V on this page covers 'Heeley at War')
|
|
Heeley Church: Interior
|
|
Floor plan of Heeley Church,
dating the various extensions
|
|
Whit-Monday at Heeley
(no date given, but possibly ca. 1916/1917)
|
|
Heeley Vicarage
The individuals are not named, but could well be Rev and Mrs Odom
|
|
The author,
Rev. Canon William Odom
|
|
Memorial Cross for Mary Odom,
Heeley Churchyard (see Chapter VIII)
|
|
Memorial and Commemoration Window, Heeley Church
|
|
This copy of the book includes a handwritten dedication
from the author to the Bishop of Sheffield, 1917
|
Home |
Wrexham area |
General |
Sheffield area |
Asia |
Military
|
