My God and my All ... Deus Meus et Omnia.
A letter, dated 21st June 1916, was received by Father Hubert Furlong at The Friary, Cumberland Street, Glasgow - informing him he had been selected for duty as an Acting Chaplain to the Forces and that he should report to the 6th (East Lancs) Division at Colchester as early as possible .... subject to his Medical Examination ......... He was 37 years old, born 1879, in London and according to his papers - blonde haired and blue eyed - 5'11 1/4 " and wore glasses.
He reported on 27th June 1916 to Colchester
Lost to history today, Britain fought a long and protracted military campaign in Iraq known as the British Mesopotamian Campaign of World War I. From the Autumn of 1914 through the Autumn of 1918, some 80,000 casualties were sustained by the British Army, of which 30,000 died. Of these, estimates are that 15,000 were deaths resulting from combat, while the other 15,000 were attributed to disease, mainly cholera.
One of Britain’s setbacks in the campaign was the loss of its entire 6th Division following an arduous siege by the Turkish Army at Al Kut. Greatly outnumbered by the enemy in April 1916, the British unit was forced to surrender when it completely ran out of supplies. From Kut, the Turks forced the British (and many Indian Army) prisoners to march back to Baghdad. Most of the 10,000 prisoners did not survive the ordeal in 120-degree heat with little food and water. The Kut cemetery thus stood for decades as a memorial to the tragic reality of men pursuing their duty despite insurmountable odds.
Father Hubert renewed his contract on 4th July 1917 in Mesopotamia - HQ Noper Force
In a long, drawn-out campaign started in 1916 - conditions in Mesopotamia could best be described as appalling - overwhelmed by the oppressive heat, arid desert and regular flooding, flies, mosquitoes and other vermin - more soldiers became victims of sickness, than suffered combat wounds inflicted by the enemy. As the casualties mounted, the dedicated medics worked long hours to provide the best possible care for their patients. Under these incredible conditions, units fell short of officers and men, and all too often the reinforcements were half-trained and ill-equipped. Medical arrangements were shocking, with wounded men spending up to two weeks on boats before reaching any kind of hospital.
Medal card of Furlong, Hubert
Royal Army Chaplains Department Captain
Royal Army Chaplains Department Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class: Reverend
Date 1914-1920
Medal card of Furlong, Hubert
Royal Army Chaplains Department Captain
Royal Army Chaplains Department Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class: Reverend
Date 1914-1920
Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood
St James's Palace SW
3rd March 1919
The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointment to the Most Excellent Order Of the British Empire for valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in Mesopotamia.
The appointment to date from the 1st January 1919
The Rev Hubert Furlong T/Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class Royal Army Chaplains Department
On 24th September 1921, in a letter from the War Office to Father Hubert (then at The Friary Fox Street Liverpool) it said he was granted permission, because of his service, to wear dress uniform, for ceremonials and on occasions where wearing uniform would be appropriate. This he did on more than one occasion - in memory of the soldiers he served !
By November 1922 he was at The Friary Gorton and resumed his life with the Order .
( Here's a snippet ... I have a strong feeling after looking for Father Hubert for a long time ... that he is Father Bonaventure Furlong who in 1901 was living at 58 Khedive Road (Monastery) - at 56 Khedive Road was the church of St. Antonys of Padua - Khedive Road also became St. Antonys Road - and I also believe his baptismal name is William Michael )
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