Fr. Francis A. Gleeson Papers

Scope and content: Material relating to his time as Military Chaplain (1914-1919) including diaries and Brigade Roll Books of soldiers from the Royal Munster Fusiliers and other regiments while serving in France. The diaries give an account of the horror of war in all its sufferings and privations while detailing the extraordinary importance of faith to the Irish men whose lives were daily sacrificed on the front line. They give insight into terrible conditions suffered by the troops as well as activities such as, destruction of property, the ordinary French people, acts of valour, kindness, death, coffin making and much more. Correspondence between Fr. Gleeson and the families of men missing or killed in action show his interest in their plight and offers help and support. Many of the letters thank him for his kindness and acknowledge the great affection their loved ones had for him.