August 13, 1914, early dawn.

Harry Wisbey kissed his wife and squeezed his little children to his heart. The Great War (WWI) was raging in Europe. Wisbey would soon be leaving his home in Northern Ireland to do his part.

At breakfast that morning, he read the Bible to his family and then fell to his knees to pray. Later he wrote in his journal, “To commend your dear ones into God’s keeping for one knows not how long, is very hard indeed.” His voice was so choked with emotion that it was hard for him to pray. Meanwhile, Wisbey’s little boy, too young to know the gravity of the situation, merrily announced after family prayers, “Dada prayer very funny this morning!”

Next, the time had come to be off to the railway station to meet the Suffolk Regiment and board the trains for Dublin. Wisbey was much older than most of the men of the Suffolk Regiment. He was not an ordinary soldier. He had already served his country in the ranks and had experienced combat in the Boer War in South Africa.

Harry Wisbey was an Army Scripture Reader, a special group of men, all veterans of the British Army and Navy, who volunteered their time to bring God’s Word to the rank and file of the British Service. They worked alongside the chaplains’ corps to pass out Gospel literature, distribute Bibles, pray with the soldiers, visit the sick and wounded, and even present the Gospel to captured prisoners!

Alongside the privates, Wisbey suffered similar discomforts during their transport across the English Channel to Havre, France. However, as a veteran of many voyages, he did not succumb to seasickness as many of his inexperienced comrades did. During the short voyage, he prayed with many apprehensive men, pointing them to the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only sure Anchor of the soul.

The Suffolk Regiment arrived in France just in time for a rainstorm that turned the road into a river of mud. Lacking topcoats and soaked to the skin, the men trudged along toward the roar of artillery. That night, Harry Wisbey slept in the mud with the men of his regiment, knowing that he must “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” In his journal, he thanked the Lord for many excellent opportunities to talk to the troops about their soul’s eternal destiny.

Wisbey’s journal contained many details that give a glimpse into the life of an Army Scripture Reader. For example, he was grateful to receive some plums from a kind French farmer. He enjoyed a cold water bath provided in a large washtub behind a farmstead. Wisbey wrote about the cheer imparted by one cup of strong hot coffee. He was extremely grateful for an elderly French woman who offered to wash his socks. He described the sounds of mice and rats tunneling through the hayloft that was his welcome lodging for a night.

On the morning before reaching the trenches, Wisbey had the opportunity to preach to the regiment. He preached from the text, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Down many a muddy cheek flowed tears of repentance on that memorable morning.

August 20, 1914. Exactly one week after leaving Ireland, the Suffolk Regiment was deployed on the front lines near the village of Mons. Harry Wisbey was with them, asking men about the state of their souls, even as the roar of German artillery filled the air with an ominous sound, reminding sinners that eternity was nigh.

The war was going badly for the French and the British that summer. The German advance on Paris was grinding forward. Hopeless desperation gripped the countryside.

August 25 1914. Five days later found the Suffolk Regiment in retreat. Wisbey walked alongside the stretchers that were carrying men who were torn apart by awful wounds. One poor boy was shot through the jaw and neck! He could only squeeze Wisbey’s hand in affirmation when he was asked if he was trusting in the blood atonement of Jesus Christ.

August 27, 1914. Wisbey’s unit narrowly escaped capture by a troop of German cavalry just two days later. One brave private who had been shot through the head determinedly walked on his own feet toward the hospital, leaning on Wisbey’s arm for assistance. Wisbey marveled at the courage and steadfastness of the wounded men. He noted in his journal how some of the slightly wounded men screamed in agony over trifles while the desperately wounded men exhibited cool courage as they went through the valley of the shadow of death.

August 28, 1914. Now Wisbey was working among the men in the hospitals near Rouen Station. He had been separated from the Suffolk Regiment in the confusion of the retreat. In the fog of war, he did not know how to locate them. Wisely he determined that Providence had put him among the wounded men, and that the hospitals demanded his attention at this time. As he ministered there, Wisbey was blessed and heartened to see many of the wounded lads place their faith and trust in the Savior of the world.

September 3, 1914. Wisbey seized an opportunity to write to his wife. He informed her that he was still in the “land of the living”! Wisbey was always encouraged to meet fellow soldiers and officers who were committed Christians. Together, they sometimes sang hymns or exchanged addresses to write to one another after the brutal war was over. One young Scottish lad whose fellowship Wisbey enjoyed was with the famous Black Watch (a distinguished regiment of infantry from the Scottish Highlands). A kind and Godly colonel also befriended Wisbey and encouraged him in his work among the troops.

September 4, 1914, morning. Wisbey was moved to see hundreds of French civilians, old men and boys, called up to defend their homes and farms from the German onslaught. He wrote in his journal, “May God speed the time when wars shall cease.”

September 7, 1914. Colonel Miller informed Wisbey that he would be granted a furlough to return home to visit his wife and children and to work with wounded men in the hospitals there. Wisbey, worn out from over a month with little food and sleep, was grateful for the unexpected opportunity! He had planned on being in France longer than this.

On the voyage home across the English Channel, Wisbey traveled in the company of some German prisoners of war. He and the POWs had many cordial conversations, and Wisbey discovered there were some Christians among the German prisoners. One devout young German soldier gave Wisbey his own pocket watch in exchange for Wisbey’s watch as a means by which they could remember their fellowship in the Lord and pray for one another for as long as they lived.

September 10, 1914. Wisbey penned in his journal these lines of joy, “Now I am at Home Sweet Home! Found all well, and my dear wife’s face rewarded me. God be praised!”

That mission, from August 13 to September 10, 1914, was completed. However, it was not the end of Wisbey’s service as an Army Scripture Reader. Far from it! He would see action again.

Harry Wisbey finally retired in 1951 as an Army Scripture Reader, at the age of seventy-five. During his long years of service, he personally shared the Good News of Christ to thousands upon thousands of men, serving troops as an Army Scripture Reader in both World Wars. Wisbey rejoiced in seeing many soldiers and sailors place their trust in Christ.

The SASRA (Soldiers’ and Aviators’ Scripture Readers Association) still carries on their noble work to this day. May God be praised that His Word never returns void but always prospers wherever it is sent forth!

Sources and Further Reference:

Wisbey, Harry. Rough Journal of Army Scripture Reader H. Wisbey with the Suffolk Regiment. SASRA: Havelock House, Aldershot, UK, 2014.