RSA Liverpool

On 23rd December 1943 my Section Officer informed me that the Roman Catholic Padre from Divisional Headquarters was coming on the night of 24th December to hold a midnight Mass at Regimental Headquarters and asked that I find a suitable place for the service to be held.

RHQ was dug in at a place called Waybin at the western end of the Ngakyedauk Pass which the Royal Engineers and Indian Sappers and Miners were working very hard to widen. This was to make it safe and to enable it to carry our quads, 25 pounders, gun carriers, and fortunately, tanks.

I found a small clearing in the jungle and made a tarpaulin shelter, open on one side, and placed inside a small table for an altar and an inspection lamp for illumination, powered by a 12volt battery. Guides were posted to direct the men to the clearing.

The Mass started promptly at midnight and I was amazed at the number of men who attended a non-compulsory service. As they came into the light of the lamp to receive Holy Communion I noticed quite a number I knew were not Roman Catholic, indeed several of the men professed to follow no religion at all.

Because of the prevailing situation we were not able to sing Christmas carols or hymns. It was truly a Silent Night, a Holy Night.