A collection of papers belonging to Fr. Francis A. Gleeson relating to his time as Catholic Military Chaplain to the 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers during World War I. The papers include diaries detailing life at the front and religious activities, Brigade Rolls listing mainly Roman Catholic soldiers, and correspondence from the families of men missing or killed in action.
text
Letter to Fr. Gleeson from Mary McEvoy, 12 South View, Chester Street, Durham, England. Her mother was happy to know that Private (T. or J.?) McEvoy received communion before he went missing in action. The McEvoy family have learned of the death of another brother, who was also at war. They are hopeful that McEvoy is alive.
text
Letter to Fr. Gleeson from Mrs. Roger Campbell, 171 Menard Street, Firfield, Glasgow, thanking him for his interest in her son, Private William Campbell, 6934. He is one of four brothers in the army, two of whom she has not seen since they went to war in August 1914. The youngest is in Germany since 31 October 1914. Another son, part of the 16th Irish Division is wounded. She states her son ‘Willie’ spoke very highly of Fr. Gleeson.
text
Letter to Fr. Gleeson from Patrick O’Connor, 12 Queen’s Street, Queenstown, [Cobh], Cork. His son, Private Patrick O’Connor, 7093, is a prisoner in Germany. He thanks Fr. Gleeson for his work stating ‘it is a consolation for those at home to know their dear ones are not lacking in spiritual advice’ (p2).
text
Letter to Fr. Gleeson from Ellen MacDonagh, Chapel Road, Ennistymon, County Clare, regarding her son, Joachim, who is a prisoner in Germany since 22 December. Her son was helping another wounded soldier when they were surrounded and captured at the Battle of Ypres. She states that Fr. Gleeson is so well known and respected in Ennistymon and he may as well be one of the local priests.
text
Letter to Fr. Gleeson 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, British Expeditionary Forces, France, from Mrs. M.. Doyle, 57 Wolfe Tone Street, Cork, thanking him for his letter regarding her husband, Sergeant J. Doyle. She has not heard from Doyle since 7 November and asks Fr. Gleeson to find out what has happened to him as she is very worried.
text
Letter to Fr. Gleeson from Elizabeth Meaney, 8 Eccles Street, Dublin, thanking him for his consoling letter. Her son (Martin Meaney) has been captured and is a prisoner in Germany. She was initially informed of this by the Red Cross, Geneva, but she has since had a letter from him. Her son spoke very highly of Fr. Gleeson.
text