The Methodist Church of Australasia booklets issued to A.I. F. Soldiers in WWI

« Prev Item Next Item »

c. 1915

Overview

Pale red, cardboard lined pouch containing two religious booklets given to soldiers by the Methodist Church in World War One.
The cover features a depiction of the Rising Sun badge at the centre top underneath which is written 'The Methodist Church of Australasia, With the A.I.F. on Active Service for God and King' in black lettering.
The first booklet is entitled 'Prayers and Hymns' and has the letters 'A.I.F' in the centre and a shield containing the words 'On Active Service' in the lower right hand corner. The back cover has another depiction of the Rising Sun badge in black.
The second booklet is entitled 'Quit You Like Men' and also has the letters 'A.I.F' in the centre and a shield containing the words 'On Active Service' in the lower right hand corner. The back cover has another depiction of the Rising Sun badge in black, under which is written 'A.T. Holden, Senior Chaplain (Meth.), A.I.F.'.

Historical information

Albert Thomas Holden (1866–1935) was a Methodist Minister. He became an army chaplain in 1898 and in 1900 he accompanied the Victorian Fourth Contingent (Imperial Bushmen) to the South African War. He became Methodist chaplain general in 1913, serving with the Australian Imperial Force between 1916 and 1919, when he was appointed C.B.E.
A link to his biography is included.

"Quit you like men" is a phrase from the bible meaning "act like a man" or "be a man". It is a call to courage, strength, and standing firm in one's beliefs, particularly within a religious or spiritual context - an exhortation to be brave, steadfast, and not to be discouraged or intimidated, but to fulfil one's responsibilities and potential.

These booklets would have been gifted to soldiers in the A.I.F. during World War One to provide spiritual comfort. Similar booklets were issued to British soldiers, although they lacked the Australian references.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00532

Inscriptions and markings

On card cover:

"The Methodist Church
of Australasia

WITH THE A.I.F.
ON
ACTIVE SERVICE
FOR
GOD AND KING"

On first booklet cover:

"PRAYERS
AND
HYMNS

A.I.F.

ON
ACTIVE
SERVICE"

On second booklet cover: