Spirituality

Most Australians who enlisted identified as Christian, but not all attended church regularly. The largest group identified as Church of England, followed by Roman Catholic and Presbyterian.

On Lemnos, Roman Catholic and Protestant services were conducted at Sarpi Rest Camp. Church parades on Sundays were also compulsory for all.

Yet some individuals sought to practise their religion independently. Sergeant Roy Rowe of 2ASH, for example, set aside time with a friend each night to pray and read a chapter of the Bible. Sister Betha McMillan wrote to her parents: ‘I have the Psalms & St John in Modern Readers Bible. I got them at Mudres – been great comfort to me.’

The Greek Orthodox Church was the religion of Greek Lemnians. Many Australians visited their churches, including Evangelismos tis Theotokou in East Mudros. The rituals, decorated interiors and services all interested them.

Private Hastings wrote of the church bell that ‘peals its peaceful invitation to devotion and worship’. Private Weymouth recalled a funeral for a member of the 9th Battalion. He had died in his tent before the Gallipoli landings. With no Roman Catholic priest on Lemnos, the Greek Catholic priest had officiated.

Visitor fascination also had a negative impact on the churches and community. There were reports of several thefts, including of an altar stone, lamps and holy relics. The vice of souveniring appeared alive and well. Senior leaders condemned such conduct and issued serious warnings to troops.