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Verrieres · 08-01-2009, 10:32 PM

Hi,

The story of one `Padre` who survived ;-Chaplain Fraser McLuskey was born on 19th September 1914 in 1939 he married his German Wife Irene Calaminus.Fraser joined the Royal Army Chaplains' Department in 1942 , thus opening the door to an outstanding period of Military service. Padre McLuskey volunteered for parachute training and was eventually appointed Chaplain to the 1st SAS Regiment.
He parachuted into southern France with his squadron in June 1944, armed only with a large amount of bibles! Lots of harsh warfare followed, as the occupying German forces tried to eliminate both the French Maquis and the British troops supporting them in their disruptive tactics. Through all the tragedies and the heroisms of War Padre McLuskey ministered unstintingly and courageously to his "parishioners", describing this theatre of war with typical understatement as "a pretty wide parish!" His kindly and effective ministry to all ranks in the face of constant danger has never been forgotten by those he served.

The humanity in Padre McLusky showed through as he talked with his men about his anxieties for Irene at home and what he himself described as terrible homesickness. His admitting such feelings to his comrades built an even closer relationship with them: here was a padre not wrapped in an impenetrable saintliness but one who knew what it was to share and overcome anxiety and fear. Courage was abundant also in Padre Fraser McLuskey. In1945 the award of the Military Cross was recognition of it and was well recieved by his regiment. His citation reads;-
On 22nd June 1944 the Rev McLuskey dropped by parachute with the main body of "A" Sqdn 1st SAS behind the enemy lines. During the next three months he carried out all his duties with the greatest courage and determination. When the area was full of German Convoys and patrols, he made several long and dangerous journeys between the base and outlying patrols in a civilian car with only a driver obtaining most valuable information. His bravery, steadiness and cheerfulness in all situations, and complete disregard for personal safety served as an inspiration to the whole Squadron.
In 1945, entering Germany with the 2nd Army, McLuskey entered Wuppertal discovered that his wife`sGerman parents and other members of the family had been killed in the last Allied air-raid of the war. His war experiences fashioned in him a determination to break down barriers between people .In 1951 he related his war time experiences in his book `The Parachute Padre` which was republished in 1985 with a forward by David Stirling.Fraser McLuskey died in Edinburgh on 24th July 2005

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 29 MARCH, 1945
The Military Cross
The Reverend James Fraser McLuskey (270929),
Chaplain to the Forces, Fourth Class, Royal Army
Chaplains' Department (Edinburgh).

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 20 MAY, 1947
ROYAL ARMY CHAPLAINS' DEPARTMENT
The undermentioned from Emerg. Commn to be
granted Short Service Commns as Chapln. to the
Forces, 4th Cl.:—
Rev James Fraser McLusKEY, M A, B.D.
(270929) (C of S) (of 5 years), i5th May 1947.

SUPPLEMENT. TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, .28 NOVEMBER, 1947
ROYAL ARMY CHAPLAINS' DEPARTMENT.
Rev. James Fraser^McLusKEY, M.C., M.A., B.D.
(270929), Chapln. to the Forces, 4th Cl. (C. of S.),
from Short Serv. Commn. to be Chapln. to the
Forces, 4th CL, ist-.Oct.-1947

Regards

Verrieres

08-01-2009, 10:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Verrieres Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Durham Posts: 948	The University Chaplain Hi, The story of one `Padre` who survived ;-Chaplain Fraser McLuskey was born on 19th September 1914 in 1939 he married his German Wife Irene Calaminus.Fraser joined the Royal Army Chaplains' Department in 1942 , thus opening the door to an outstanding period of Military service. Padre McLuskey volunteered for parachute training and was eventually appointed Chaplain to the 1st SAS Regiment. He parachuted into southern France with his squadron in June 1944, armed only with a large amount of bibles! Lots of harsh warfare followed, as the occupying German forces tried to eliminate both the French Maquis and the British troops supporting them in their disruptive tactics. Through all the tragedies and the heroisms of War Padre McLuskey ministered unstintingly and courageously to his "parishioners", describing this theatre of war with typical understatement as "a pretty wide parish!" His kindly and effective ministry to all ranks in the face of constant danger has never been forgotten by those he served. The humanity in Padre McLusky showed through as he talked with his men about his anxieties for Irene at home and what he himself described as terrible homesickness. His admitting such feelings to his comrades built an even closer relationship with them: here was a padre not wrapped in an impenetrable saintliness but one who knew what it was to share and overcome anxiety and fear. Courage was abundant also in Padre Fraser McLuskey. In1945 the award of the Military Cross was recognition of it and was well recieved by his regiment. His citation reads;- On 22nd June 1944 the Rev McLuskey dropped by parachute with the main body of "A" Sqdn 1st SAS behind the enemy lines. During the next three months he carried out all his duties with the greatest courage and determination. When the area was full of German Convoys and patrols, he made several long and dangerous journeys between the base and outlying patrols in a civilian car with only a driver obtaining most valuable information. His bravery, steadiness and cheerfulness in all situations, and complete disregard for personal safety served as an inspiration to the whole Squadron. In 1945, entering Germany with the 2nd Army, McLuskey entered Wuppertal discovered that his wife`sGerman parents and other members of the family had been killed in the last Allied air-raid of the war. His war experiences fashioned in him a determination to break down barriers between people .In 1951 he related his war time experiences in his book `The Parachute Padre` which was republished in 1985 with a forward by David Stirling.Fraser McLuskey died in Edinburgh on 24th July 2005 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 29 MARCH, 1945 The Military Cross The Reverend James Fraser McLuskey (270929), Chaplain to the Forces, Fourth Class, Royal Army Chaplains' Department (Edinburgh). SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 20 MAY, 1947 ROYAL ARMY CHAPLAINS' DEPARTMENT The undermentioned from Emerg. Commn to be granted Short Service Commns as Chapln. to the Forces, 4th Cl.:— Rev James Fraser McLusKEY, M A, B.D. (270929) (C of S) (of 5 years), i5th May 1947. SUPPLEMENT. TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, .28 NOVEMBER, 1947 ROYAL ARMY CHAPLAINS' DEPARTMENT. Rev. James Fraser^McLusKEY, M.C., M.A., B.D. (270929), Chapln. to the Forces, 4th Cl. (C. of S.), from Short Serv. Commn. to be Chapln. to the Forces, 4th CL, ist-.Oct.-1947 Regards Verrieres