South Yorkshire Times, October 28th 1944
Rev. Geoffrey Bernard
News of the death on active service in Italy, on October 11th, of the Rev. Geoffrey Bernard, formerly curate of Mexborough and Shiregreen, in the Sheffield diocese last week-end. Mr. Bernard, who was 33, leaves a widow and young daughter, who are living in Cornwall. It is understood that Mr. Bernard was killed when struck in the head by a shell splinter when German artillery scored a direct hit on the post where he was.
Mr. Bernard, who was native of Bristol, and whose father is a well-known doctor, was a great nephew of the famous cricketer, Dr. W. G. Grace. He was educated at Clifton Bristol University and Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and was ordained in 1935 to a curacy at Norton Lees, Sheffield, under the Rev. E. H. P. Rawlins. He came to Mexborough in September 1937 when Mr. Rawlins was instituted Vicar of Mexborough and took charge of work at St. George’s Church, remaining there until September 1941. He went to London to be curate at St. Peter’s, Eaton Square and returned to Sheffield early in 1942 as curate of St. James and St. Christopher’s, Shiregreen, under the Rev. E. J. Cheverton, formerly Vicar of Kilnhurst. Later in the year he received his commission in the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department and saw service in the Orkneys, Southern England, and Northern Ireland, before going abroad early this year. He is the first chaplain from the Sheffield diocese to be killed in active service in the present war.
While at Mexborough, Mr. Bernard served in the Home Guard and Home Guards were among those who attended a memorial service at St. George’s Church on Wednesday. Special prayers were offered at Mexborough Parish Church on Sunday and Canon J. St. Leger Blakeney, Rector of Wombwell, as Rural Dean, expressed sympathy with Mr. Bernard’s family when referring to the loss at Wombwell Parish Church on Sunday.
Joint Memorial Service
Mr. Bernard and Lieut. Jack Morley
A special memorial service was held at St. George’s Church on Wednesday for Mr. Bernard and for Lieut. Jack Morley, a member of St. George’s Church and choir, who was also killed in Italy within a few days of Mr. Bernard.
The church was full and the congregation included members of Mexborough Home Guard, to which both men belonged, representatives of Mexborough Special Constabulary and Rotary Club, the staff of David Haigh Ltd., of which Lieut. Morley’s father is a director, representatives of the Parochial Church Council, church wardens and other organisations of Mexborough Parish and St. George’s churches, also representatives of other denominations in the district. Combined choirs of the two churches led the singing and the service was conducted by the Rev. E. A. C. Gundry. Priest in charge of St. George’s, with the Vicar of Mexborough, the Rev. E. H. P. Rawlins, Canon J. St. Leger Blakeney, Rural Dean, the Rev. H. W. Hilary Lewis, Worsboro’ Dale, a former colleague of Mr. Bernard at Norton Lees, taking part. Mr. W. H. Beresford (former Church Warden, St. George’s Church) was also present.
Mr. Rawlins referred to the service given by the two men in their different spheres to Church and country. During the six years Mr. Bernard was his colleague in Sheffield and at Mexborough and particularly in charge of St. George’s Church and district, he had brought his particular gift of gaiety and enthusiasm to all that he did. He was a very human young man. Jack Morley who died a few days after him in the same country was, like his former priest, proud holder of the King’s commission and was known by many of those present for many years at school, at work and as a comrade in work and recreation.
“These two young men were sent forth by us to fight our battles, each to their respective spheres, to uphold the honour of our country’s history, to win justice and freedom and a gay and yet responsible human life for the citizens of this country and for the wider world,” he said. “Above that, they were sent forth to uphold the Cross of Christ and, if need be, to carry it and they have carried it bravely and well, even unto death.”
With these shining examples before us we could go on with our lives, rededicated and renewed, praying that we might at least be counted a little worthy to stand by their side.
Telegrams have been received by the Vicar from the Rev. J. W. B. Moore (former assistant curate at Mexborough) and Miss M. Widdows, who were both on the Parish Church staff with Mr. Bernard.
From C.W.G.C.:
Chaplain 4Th Class The Rev. GEOFFREY BERNARD
Service Number: 248379
Regiment & Unit/Ship Royal Army Chaplains’ Department
Date of Death Died 11 October 1944
Age 34 years old
Buried or commemorated at FLORENCE WAR CEMETERY IV. B. 15. Italy
Additional Info
Son of Dr. Claude Bernard, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., and Florie Beatrice Bernard; husband of Rose Mary Bernard, of Salisbury. B.A. (Bristol).
Personal Inscription
“HE WAS GLAD TO GIVE HIS LIFE”