It is difficult to understand the role played by Service Chaplains in the midst of war for the Bible tells us to love thy enemy, but the part they play in giving hope and spiritual advice to those brave soldiers on the front line was outstanding. These Chaplains were armed only with their Bible, sweets and cigarettes, with nothing to fight the enemy with, they were among the bravest of our soldiers who saw action in the wars.
He volunteered for the Army Chaplain’s Department and in March 1916 landed at Basra, Mesopotamia (Iraq). The citation for his Victoria Cross reads ‘On April 9th 1916 at Sanna-i-Yat Mesopotamia, the Reverend William Addison carried a wounded man to the cover of a trench and helped several others to the same cover after binding up their wounds under heavy rifle and machine gun fire. In addition to these unaided efforts his splendid example and utter disregard of personal danger encouraged the stretcher bearers to go forward under heavy fire and collect the wounded’.
William Addison joined the Order (date unknown) and became a member of the Sir Arthur Holbrook Lodge 2596 and it is reported in the Autumn 1923 Quarterly Journal that “we are sorry to announce that we have lost Bro. Rev. Addison, V.C. who has been transferred to Aldershot”.
Also reported in the Quarterly Journal August 1924 “S.W. Surrey, We congratulate the Rev. Brother Addison, V.C. upon receiving his Second Degree. Our only Reverend Victoria Cross recipient, this is a record our Reverend Brother will hold for many years. One of the 40 solid Sergeants performed the ceremony”.
He passed away on the 7th January 1962 and is buried in Brockwood Cemetery.
If you wish to read the full story please click on this link No 34 Victory Cross Winners Vol 1