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1945
Singapore
Final Thanksgiving Service
On the morning of Saturday August 11th, 1945, as soon as the news came through that the Emperor of Japan had asked for terms, the ACG interviewed the Representative Officer with reference to a Thanksgiving Service. It was agreed to hold one as soon as the IJA passed on the news officially.
By Sunday, August 19th, certain information having been volunteered by the IJA, it seemed reasonable to put on individual Church Thanksgiving Services that day, but to postpone the main service until later, when the National Anthem could be sung for the first time for many months, and meeting in a body could be facilitated without the danger of provoking any of the guards into action.
A choir comprising of members of all churches was massed, and a form of service drawn up. each denomination contributing. The service was. of necessity short, on account of the inability of men to stand for any length of time.
A string orchestra, which had played once a month in St George’s Church, and a harmonium, played by Lieutenant-Colonel Withers-Payne, led the service.
A buglar was present to play ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’. Except for funeral parties, no buglers had functioned in the camp for two years. Only Japanese bugle calls had been allowed.
On Saturday 26th, it was decided to hold the service on the following day, and to hold it on the Hospital square, this being less distance to walk than the Padang.
The Royal Engineers constructed a platform sixteen feet by eight feet, which was draped with the flags of the Allies, British, American and Dutch.
It had rained earlier, but this had cleared and the Sunday evening was fine though cloudy.
The crowds began to flock in from all areas by 1900hrs. Officers, bringing their own stools, were marshalled behind the Alter, all others were marshalled with the Other Ranks. The sixteen most Senior Officers of Service and Nationalities were seated in front of the Altar.
By 1945hrs it was conservatively estimated that 4,000 were present. Many hospital patients who were unable to leave their wards stood around the doors of their huts and joined in the singing.
All chaplains (less one Roman Catholic and one Dutch - who were sick), sixteen in number. assembled in St Andrew’s vestry and then moved into the square at 1945hrs.
It was a service which will be long remembered. The vast body of men singing the hymns, the dull thunder of 4,000 voices and more saying the Lord’s Prayer together formed a most fitting ‘Nunc Dimittis’ to the work of the churches in captivity. It was a spectacle of unity in Church and international relations commented upon and appreciated by all.
Holy Communion was celebrated at each of the Anglican churches at the conclusion of the Thanksgiving Service.
Order of service (27th August 1945)
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Opening Sentences:
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HYMN:
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O God our help in ages past
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Scriptural Reading:
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Jeremiah 29: 11-14 inclusive
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Read in English by S/Chaplain N K Jones AIF
Read in Dutch by S/Chaplain J Van Wych Jurriance RNF
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HYMN:
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Now thank we all God
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Prayers:
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Rev S W Barrett (M) AIF
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ONE MINUTES SILENCE IN MEMORY OF OUR DEAD
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LAST POST
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“They shall grow not old...............” etc - AVG
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REVEILLE
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HYMN:
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Praise my soul the King of Heaven
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ADDRESS:
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Rev J N Lewis-Bryan ACG
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HYMN:
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Abide with me
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BENEDICTION
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National Anthems:
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United States of America
Holland
Great Britain
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DEPART
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