Francis Gleeson (priest) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Gleeson
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The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois by Fortunino Matania showing Father Gleeson (on horse, middle) the day before the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915
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| Born | 28 May 1884 Templemore, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| Died | 26 June 1959 (aged 75) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Service/ |
 British ArmyArmy Chaplains' Department |
| Years of service | 1914–1915 1917–1919 |
| Rank | Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class |
| Unit | Royal Munster Fusiliers |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Alma mater | Maynooth College Clonliffe College |
Father Francis Gleeson (born May 28, 1884 – died June 26, 1959) was an Irish Roman Catholic priest. He served as a chaplain for the British Army during Ireland's part in the First World War. He studied at religious schools near Dublin and became a priest in 1910. Before the war, he worked at a home for the blind. When the war began, he volunteered to join the army.
He became a chaplain in the Army Chaplains' Department and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. He served with them during the First Battle of Ypres. It is said that during this battle, Father Gleeson took charge of the battalion when all the other officers were unable to continue fighting. His soldiers respected him greatly. He would help the wounded even when there was danger, visit the front-line trenches, and bring gifts to the men.
On May 8, 1915, the day before the Battle of Aubers Ridge, Father Gleeson spoke to the battalion. He gave them a special blessing called the general absolution at a roadside shrine. The battalion faced heavy losses in the battle. Afterward, when the remaining soldiers gathered, only about 200 men were left. A famous painting by Fortunino Matania shows Father Gleeson giving this blessing. The painting was requested by the wife of the battalion's commanding officer.
After serving for a year, Father Gleeson returned to Dublin in 1915 and became a curate (a priest who helps the main priest). But he rejoined the army as a chaplain in 1917 and served for two more years. After the war, he went back to Ireland. He worked as a priest in churches near Dublin and was later chosen as a canon for the Metropolitan Chapter of the Archdiocese of Dublin. He passed away on June 26, 1959.
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Early Life and Becoming a Priest
Francis Gleeson was born on May 28, 1884, in Main Street, Templemore, County Tipperary, Ireland. He was one of thirteen children in his family.
Francis decided he wanted to become a Catholic priest. He studied at the Holy Cross College in Dublin and St Patrick's College in Maynooth. He became a priest on June 19, 1910. The Archbishop of Dublin, William Walsh, performed the ceremony at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral.
In October 1910, Father Gleeson became a chaplain at St. Vincent's Male Orphanage in Glasnevin. He lived nearby. In March 1912, he was sent to be a chaplain at St. Mary's Home for the Blind in Dublin. Father Gleeson was a Jesuit (a member of a Catholic religious order). He also supported Irish independence and spoke Irish Gaelic.
Joining the War as a Chaplain
When the First World War started in July 1914, Father Gleeson volunteered to serve with the British Army. He was one of only 17 Roman Catholic priests who volunteered at that time. On November 18, 1914, he became a Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class. This rank was similar to a Captain. He joined the Army Chaplains' Department.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. This battalion was already fighting on the Western Front in France. These soldiers were experienced regular troops before the war. They were part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 1st Division. They were among the first British troops sent to France. The unit had fought in the Battle of Mons. After Father Gleeson joined them, they took part in the First Battle of Ypres (October-November 1914).
A British officer and poet named Robert Graves wrote in his book Good-Bye to All That about this battle. He said that Father Gleeson was the only officer in the battalion who was not hurt. He took off his chaplain's badge, which showed he was not a fighter, and led the unit until help arrived.
In December, he joined the battalion in a counterattack during the Battle of Givenchy. That month, he wrote about people in Britain who supported the war. He said, "If ... supporters of war were made to be soaked and caked and crusted with cold, wet trench mud, like these poor soldiers, and to wear those mud-weighted coats, they would not be so quick with their ideas on war." He felt these people should experience the harsh conditions to learn a lesson.
On Christmas Day 1914, the 2nd Munsters were in a part of the front line where there was no Christmas Truce. Father Gleeson chose to hold a Mass (a religious service) in one of the front-line trenches, even though it was often under fire. The Mass was held to remember the seven officers and 200 men of the Munsters who had died in a fight at Festubert on December 21–22. The 2nd Munsters, who had just suffered many losses, were ordered to stop a German advance. The Germans had already captured the front-line trenches of an Indian unit. The men held their ground for 60 hours, including what Gleeson called a "terrible night of fighting," before they were relieved. Father Gleeson wrote in his diary that day, "Such sadness. Such suffering! If all military leaders had hearts, they should bleed if they saw the scene of frozen men I saw today - this Christmas day of 1914 AD. How I felt in that death area today! Good savior of the world - will you bring peace and end all war forever?"
Father Gleeson gave advice to soldiers of all faiths in the regiment. He kept careful records of their names and addresses. This way, he could write to the families of those who died. He wrote down the dates each Catholic man received the sacrament (a religious ceremony). This allowed him to tell their families that they had died in a state of grace (meaning they were ready for heaven). Father Gleeson ended each of his letters with the words "They paid a great sacrifice." These words were later used as the title of a book published in 2010. The book shares the war records of men from Cork.
Much of his time was spent answering letters from families in Ireland. They were worried about their sons and husbands. Sometimes, this task almost overwhelmed him. He wrote in his personal diary in June 1915, "I got 12 letters today; just after reading them. What answering they will take tomorrow. I like to give these poor people all the comfort I can, anyway, but still there’s no end to the sad questions. The tragedy of these letters."
Father Gleeson often visited the front lines. He would hold burial services there, sometimes using wooden crosses he made himself. He even went into no-man's-land (the dangerous area between enemy lines) to comfort dying soldiers. His men said they could always count on a cup of tea from him when he visited the trenches late at night. He also made sure they had enough ammunition. Father Gleeson asked people in Ireland to send hymnbooks for the soldiers. He also bought mouth organs for them to play (he himself enjoyed playing the harmonica). Even though he was not a strong supporter of Irish independence, he believed his soldiers had the right to fly the Irish tricolour (Irish flag) in the trenches.
One of Father Gleeson's men said, "He's a true warrior. No man at the Front is braver or calmer. He goes to the most dangerous places in the firing line to comfort the boys who are dying." His work as a chaplain was well-known. One war reporter said, "If you meet a man of the 2nd Munsters, just mention the name of Father Gleeson and see how his face lights up." Quotes from Father Gleeson were used in Irish posters and leaflets to encourage people to join the army.
The Battle of Aubers Ridge
On May 8, 1915, the battalion was moving towards the trenches. They were getting ready for the Battle of Aubers Ridge. Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Rickard ordered the soldiers to stop at a roadside shrine in Rue du Bois, near Fleurbaix. Father Gleeson had pointed out the shrine to Rickard. It was actually the altar of a chapel that had been destroyed by shells earlier in the war.
Father Gleeson, who had ridden at the front of the column, spoke to the 800 assembled men. He gave them the general absolution while still on his horse. The men then sang hymns like Hail, Queen of Heaven, the Te Deum, and Hail Glorious Saint Patrick. After this, Father Gleeson moved along the lines, saying goodbye to the officers and encouraging the men to uphold the honor of their regiment. He followed the battalion to the start of the trenches to say a final farewell.
The battalion began their attack at 5:30 the next morning. Many of the Munsters were quickly shot down by machine gun fire. They had barely advanced a few yards. However, enough men survived to capture the German trenches. They were the only unit to do so that day, before being forced to retreat. The battalion suffered many losses: 11 officers and 140 men were killed, including Lieutenant-Colonel Rickard. Also, 8 officers and 230 men were wounded.
Father Gleeson made it his duty to help the wounded and dying. He comforted them and gave them the last rites (a religious ceremony for the dying). He did this even though German shells were landing close by. Father Gleeson wrote in his diary that night that "it was terrible to see them lying there in the cold, cheerless outhouses on bare stretchers with no blankets to cover their freezing bodies." This quote was chosen for a stone at the Island of Ireland Peace Park, Messines, Belgium. This park was built in 1998 to remember the Irish soldiers who died in the war.
After the battle, the Munsters gathered again at Rue de Bois. But only three officers and 200 men were well enough to stand for inspection. Father Gleeson was very saddened by the large number of deaths. He also received many emotional letters from the families of killed and wounded soldiers. Rickard's wife, Jessie Louisa Rickard, asked war artist Fortunino Matania to create a painting. It would show the parade at Rue de Bois, focusing on Father Gleeson giving the absolution. (Rickard is also shown in the background of the painting). The painting was printed in The Sphere newspaper on November 27, 1916. It was widely copied and shared throughout the war. Sadly, the painting was destroyed by German bombs during the Second World War. Father Gleeson later gave the stole (a special cloth worn by priests) he wore for the parade to the regiment's museum.
In July 1915, Father Gleeson held a special religious mission in the British lines. He gave a certificate, which he designed himself, to everyone who attended. The certificate included the names of major battles the Munsters had fought in. It also showed the flags of Allied nations, a crucifix, the Celtic cross, and the Irish harp. The text on the certificate advised soldiers to live a good life, avoid sin, and pray often.
Father Gleeson showed his bravery again later that year. He helped defend a trench against an enemy attack. He also served with the Munsters in a battle on September 25, 1915, during the Battle of Loos. He strongly believed in freeing Belgium from German control. However, he was known to criticize what he saw as anti-religious views held by the French authorities.
Father Gleeson had originally agreed to serve for one year. In October 1915, he wrote to Father Bernard Rawlinson, the senior Roman Catholic chaplain. He asked to be released from duty at the end of his current agreement. He wrote, "I am sorry to be leaving the dear old Munster lads, but I really can't stand it any longer. I do not like the life, though I love the poor men ever so much." Father Gleeson returned to Ireland. After a time of rest, he became a curate at the newly opened Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Dublin starting December 16.
Later War Service and Irish Free State
Father Gleeson later changed his mind. He asked Archbishop Walsh for permission to return to army service. He was given his previous rank again on May 15, 1917, for a two-year contract. Father Gleeson went back to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. He served with them in battles such as the Capture of Wytschaete, the First Battle of Passchendaele, the Battle of Langemarck, the Second Battle of Passchendaele, and the Battle of Cambrai.
On January 29, 1918, the 2nd Battalion was moved to the 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. However, Father Gleeson stayed with the 1st Infantry Division. He remained with this division, returning with them to England on July 2, 1918. His period of duty ended in May 1919.
After the war, Father Gleeson returned to Ireland and his position at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. He faced some difficulties from Irish republicans because of his connection to the British Army. It is said that the Bishop of Cork, Daniel Cohalan, who strongly supported Irish independence, purposely placed Gleeson in parishes that favored the republicans.
On July 13, 1920, Father Gleeson was appointed curate in St Michael's Parish, Dún Laoghaire. On June 4, 1922, he attended the dedication of Étreux British Cemetery. This cemetery holds the remains of 110 men from the Royal Munster Fusiliers. They were killed defending Étreux against stronger German forces. They were acting as a rearguard (protecting the main army's retreat) during the Great Retreat of August 1914.
Because of his past military experience, Father Gleeson was appointed as a command chaplain for the Dublin Army Command of the Irish Free State Army in February 1923. He served with them through the Irish Civil War.
Later Life and Legacy
Father Gleeson became a curate of Bray, Aughrim on May 18, 1924. He then became the main priest of the parish on January 20, 1941. On August 30, 1944, he was appointed parish priest of St Catherine's in Meath Street, Dublin.
Father Gleeson was chosen as a canon for the Metropolitan Chapter of the Archdiocese of Dublin on May 7, 1956. He passed away on June 26, 1959. He was buried at the Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. His grave faces west, which is a common tradition for Christian clergy. It points towards the altar of the cemetery's chapel. The Old Comrades Association of the Royal Munster Fusiliers honored him in their yearly report. They stated that he was "a canon when he died. A saint when next we all meet."
Father Gleeson's war diaries were found in a room at his clergy house many years after his death. They are now kept by the Archdiocese of Dublin and the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks, Dublin. These diaries, notes, and records from the church collection were made digital in an 18-month project. This project was a joint effort with the University College Dublin and finished in April 2015.
Father Gleeson is mentioned in Frank Delaney's novel Shannon, which is set in Ireland after the war. The book talks about him taking command of the battalion at the First Battle of Ypres. It also mentions that he was "a bit shook up" by his experiences.
The stole Father Gleeson wore during his famous absolution before Aubers Ridge was found again in August 2014. It was in the collection of the National Army Museum, which had acquired it in 1959. A memorial was revealed on the 100-year anniversary of the fighting at Aubers Ridge in May 2015. It was placed at the recently rediscovered spot where Father Gleeson gave his absolution at Rue de Bois.
