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Looking Back: A Visit to the Huts and Canteens

From May 1945

By the Rev John MacDougall, BD., Secretary of the Committee on Hut and Canteen Work


In answer to a telephone call I reported on 16th March to Room No --, the War Office, to be briefed for a visit to the Church of Scotland Canteens serving the 21st Army Group, BLA, Prestwick and the Forth Bridge assumed a new significance when I was informed that no one in that particular room had heard anything about this representative of the Church of Scotland. Before long, however, the matter was straightened out and arrangements were made for a passage by air to Brussels. The War Office had imposed a time limit on the visit, and from this I guessed – as it proved, correctly – that the great day was nigh. Indeed, very soon after I left the vicinity of the Rhine, the victorious attack began. I knew that, accompanying the brave men who crossed the river, were some of those who, as representatives of the Church of Scotland, had already won honour by their devoted service to famous divisions. One hero in the Highland Division who had seen much service confessed that there had been times when he felt ‘jittery’ but the sight of the Church of Scotland canteen always made him feel all right again. Half apologetically the Adjutant in the same Division told of the occasion when he had “in no uncertain tongue” ordered an intrepid minister to get out of the way with his mobile. Did he not know it was soldiers who were needed up there and not a ------ mobile canteen?

Since the summer of 1941 the 15th Scottish Division has never been without a Church of Scotland Mobile Canteen, except during the opening weeks of the campaign in North-West Europe, and its present appeal for at least one more mobile must surely be met. The mobiles with the 52nd (Lowland) Division have seen much warfare, and had gone through a gruelling time in the Wesel area shortly before I left.

It was an interesting experience to spend the night with the mobile workers in their billet. On one occasion I arrived late at night when the leader and his batman were about to engage in devotions but they were not long in seeing me fed and housed. Another billet was in a partially demolished small German farm-house, where I slept in a curious enclosed type of German bed some inches too short – or might have slept had the guns on the Rhine boomed most of the night.

When visiting the static units such as hostels and canteens I received many confirmations of reports heard elsewhere of the popularity of our Church of Scotland centres. “Give me the Church of Scotland every time,” was the common comment; and I was told that men sent on forty-eight hours leave to Brussels or Bruges often asked specially to be billeted in the Church of Scotland Hostel.

The ladies were the life and inspiration of the canteens. Their cheerfulness and their tireless, unselfish labours have done more than anything else to create the atmosphere which characterises the Church of Scotland centres. It is surprising how they have been able to transform whatever premises were available – a tavern, a hotel, a town museum, the large rooms of a barracks now used as a convalescent hospital – and create the comfortable homeliness of a Church of Scotland rest centre.

The men on the staff, ministers and laymen alike, perform many tasks other than serving in Mobile Canteens. One controls a bakery; a second befriends hundreds of convalescents; a third in his spare time by means of a mobile canteen serves neighbouring troops. It would be unfair to name any of the forty-five workers because they all form one big family and energetic team; but all of the staff, with one exception, would approve special mention of the genial kindliness and humble ministry of that exception, namely, the Rev C.G Mackenzie, who has done so much for the happiness of everyone.

Professor EP Dickie and his fellow pioneers laid a good foundation, and, with the increasing staff and equipment now provided, his successor, Major James Watt, MC., will be sure to maintain the high standard already set.


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