Royal Air Force Chaplains Branch#Chaplain-in-Chief

The Mission of the Royal Air Force Chaplains Branch is to serve the RAF Community through: Prayer, Presence and Proclamation.See: [http://www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains/aboutus/welcome.cfm About Us: Welcome] webpage. RAF Chaplains Branch official website. Retrieved 10 September 2010. The motto of the branch Ministrare Non Ministrari translates as ..To serve, not to be served and is derived from Mark chapter 10: verse 45.{{cite web|title=The Royal Air Force, Chaplains Branch, 90th anniversary service|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains/rafcms/mediafiles/D1B8CBB7_5056_A318_A800CD6702E0A2C2.pdf|website=Royal Air Force|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=21 June 2016|page=9|date=27 November 2008}}

The Reverend Harry Viener was invested as the first Chaplain-in-Chief on 11 October 1918{{sfn|Pitchfork|2008|p=318}} with the Chaplaincy branch officially established in December 1918.{{sfn|Pitchfork|2008|p=373}} Reverend Viener had been a Royal Naval Chaplain and was 'lent' to the Air Force by the Admiralty.{{sfn|Pitchfork|2008|p=163}} A Chaplaincy school was established at Magdalene College, Cambridge University in November 1943 with the motto of 'Truth'.{{cite book|last1=Pine|first1=L G|title=A dictionary of mottoes|date=1983|publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul|location=London|isbn=0-7100-9339-X|page=[https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmott00tion/page/237 237]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmott00tion/page/237}} The Chaplaincy School was moved to Dowdeswell Court in Gloucestershire in February 1945. Thereafter it moved to Amport House in Hampshire in December 1961.{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=Bruce R|title=Sehnsucht: The C S Lewis journal 2011-2012|date=2012|publisher=Wipf & Stock|isbn=9781620323861|pages=97–98}} In September 2016, the Ministry of Defence announced that Amport House would be put up for sale as part of a programme of defence estate rationalisation. A Better Defence Estate, published in November 2016, indicated that the Armed Forces Chaplaincy would close by 2020, which it subsequently did.

RAF chaplains receive training on the Specialist Officers Initial Training Course (SOITC) at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire.{{Cite web|url=https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/roles/roles-finder/personnel-support/chaplain|title=RAF Recruitment | Chaplain | Royal Air Force}} Both RAF chaplains and candidates receive training at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, the latter was located at Amport House until 2020.[http://www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains/whoweare/amporthouse.cfm Who we are: Amport House]. RAF Chaplains Branch official website. Retrieved 10 September 2010. The Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre was relocated to Beckett House, Shrivenham, near Swindon. In 2020 The Reverend (Group Captain) Geoffrey Withers {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|KHC}} was the first RAF Chaplain appointed Principal, Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre Shrivenham.{{Crockford| surname = Withers | forenames = Geoffrey| id = 15621 | accessed = 10 September 2021}}

To serve in the Chaplains Branch, chaplains and candidates must be endorsed by a religious body.[http://www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains/whoweare/endorsingauthorities.cfm Endorsing Authorities]. RAF Chaplains Branch official website. Retrieved 10 September 2010. RAF commissioned chaplains are accepted from the various Christian denominations. The British military forces are also served by "tri-service chaplains" from other world faiths, including Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh.[http://www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains/whoweare/worldfaiths.cfm World Faiths]. RAF Chaplains Branch official website. Retrieved 10 September 2010. In 2018, the first Sikh and Muslim military chaplains to join the British armed forces passed out from the Royal Air Force College Cranwell to join the RAF Chaplain's Branch.{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/first-military-sikh-chaplain-and-muslim-padre-graduate-from-officer-training/ |title=First military Sikh Chaplain and Muslim Padre graduate from officer training |author= |date=14 December 2018 |website=Royal Air Force |access-date=14 December 2018 }} In November 2023 the Ministry of Defence announced the intent to recruit Non-Religious Pastoral Support Officers into Chaplaincy in order to reflect the changing demographics of the United Kingdom and HM Forces.[https://humanists.uk/2023/11/30/armed-forces-to-recruit-first-non-religious-pastoral-officers/]

:See: {{section link|Military chaplain|Non-combatant status}}

{{See also|International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference}}

The RAF Chaplains Branch is led by a Chaplain-in-Chief.[http://www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains/aboutus/welcome.cfm About Us: Welcome] webpage. RAF Chaplains Branch official website. Retrieved 10 September 2010. Harry Viener was the first Chaplain-in-Chief. When the Chaplain-in-Chief is an Anglican, he or she is also the Archdeacon for the Royal Air Force – otherwise, the most senior Anglican chaplain takes that title along with that of Principal Anglican Chaplain.

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• 1918–1926 Harry Viener {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CBE|KHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=31112 |date=7 January 1919 |page=370 }}
• 1926–1930 Robert Hanson {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|KHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=33215 |date=26 October 1926 |page=6824 }}
• 1930–1933 Sidney Clarke {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|KHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=33671 |date=19 December 1930 |page=8158 }}{{London Gazette |issue=34004 |date=12 December 1933 |page=8052 }}
• 1933–1940 James Walkey {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|KHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=34831 |date=16 April 1940 |page=2248 }}
• 1940–1944 Maurice Edwards {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|KHC| size=90%}}
• 1944–1949 John Jagoe {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CBE|KHC| size=90%}}
• 1949–1953 Leslie Wright {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CBE|KHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=38573 |date=29 March 1949 |page=1590 |supp=y }}
• 1953–1959: Alan Giles {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|CBE|QHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=39843 |date=5 May 1953 |page=2493 |supp=y }}
• 1959–1965 Francis Cocks {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC| size=90%}} (first Archdeacon for the RAF){{London Gazette |issue=41664 |date=24 March 1959 |page=1981 |supp=y }}
• 1965–1969 Wilfred Payton {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=43599 |date=16 March 1965 |page=2629 |supp=y }}
• 1969–1973 Leonard Ashton {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=44661 |date=27 August 1968 |page=9354 |supp=y }}
• 1973–1980 Hewitt Wilson {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=45873 |date=9 January 197 |page=375 |supp=y }}
• 1980–1983 Herbert Stuart {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=48294 |date=2 September 1980 |page=12378 |supp=y }}
• 1983–1988 Glyndwr Renowden {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|FRSA|size=90%}}
• 1988–1991 Brian Halfpenny {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|FRSA| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=51393 |date=27 June 1988 |page=7429 |supp=y }}
• 1991–1995 Brian Lucas {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|FRSA| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=52615 |date=30 July 1991 |page=11601 |supp=y }}
• 1995–1998 Robin Turner {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|DL|QHC|AKC| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=54140 |date=29 August 1995 |page=11767 |supp=y }}
• 1998–2001 Peter Bishop {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|FRSA| size=90%}}
• 2001–2006 Ron Hesketh {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|FRGS| size=90%}}{{London Gazette |issue=56340 |date=25 September 2001 |page=11210 |supp=y }}
• 2006–2009 Peter Mills {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|size=90%}} (Church of Scotland)
• Archdeacons for the Royal Air Force:
• 2006 onwards: Ray Pentland {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|size=90%}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukwhoswho.com/display/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-70908|title=Pentland, Ven. Raymond Jackson, (born 14 July 1957), Archdeacon, 2006–14, and Director General Chaplaincy Services Headquarters Air Command and Chaplain-in-Chief, 2009–14, Royal Air Force|website=WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO}}[http://www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains/rafcms/mediafiles/A4BEDB85_5056_A318_A881590A047AEBFA.pdf RAF Chaplains – Ven Ray Pentland] (Retrieved 7 June 2012)
• 2009–2014 (ret.): Ray Pentland
• 2014{{snd}}2018 Jonathan Chaffey {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|size=90%}}{{cite web|title=Chaplain-in-Chief (Designate)|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains/whoweare/cincdes.cfm|website=RAF Chaplains|publisher=Royal Air Force|access-date=26 June 2014}}
• 2018–2022 (ret.): John Ellis {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|size=90%}}{{cite web|title=RAF Senior Appointments|url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/senior-appointments/|publisher=Royal Air Force|access-date=4 August 2018}}
• 2022–present: Giles Legood {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|MBE|KHC|AKC|size=90%}}{{Church Times | title = Appointments | url = https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/22-july/gazette/appointments/appointments | issue = 8314 | date = 22 July 2022 | page = 23 | accessed = 22 July 2022 }}

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The Royal Air Force Chaplains Branch has 5 world faith chaplains as of October 2021:{{cite web|title=RAF Chaplains|url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/units/raf-chaplains/|publisher=Royal Air Force|access-date=22 October 2021}}

• Flt Lt. Mandeep Kaur (Sikh){{cite web|title=Flight Lieutenant Mandeep Kaur Becomes First Sikh Padre To Join Royal Air Force Chaplain's Branch|url=https://sikhchannel.tv/uk-flight-lieutenant-mandeep-kaur-becomes-first-sikh-padre-to-join-royal-air-force-chaplains-branch/|publisher=Sikh Channel|access-date=22 October 2021}}
• Mr Krishan Attri (Hindu)
• Sqn Ldr. Imam Ali Omar (Muslim){{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-04-02 |title=Imam Ali Omar commissioned as a Squadron Leader |url=https://www.muslimwarmemorial.org/imam-ali-omar-commissioned-as-a-squadron-leader/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=National Muslim War Memorial Trust |language=en-GB}}
• Dr Sunil Kariyakarawana (Buddhist)
• Rabbi Reuben Livingstone CF (Jewish)

St Clement Danes Church is the Central Church of the Royal Air Force located in the City of Westminster, London.https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/units/st-clement-danes-church// RAF MOD official website. Retrieved 22 August 2022.{{Cite web |last=Rice |first=David |title=St Clement Danes Church |url=https://stclementdanesraf.org/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=St Clement Danes Church |language=en-GB}} For generations, members of the Royal Air Force family have enjoyed services of Holy Matrimony and Baptisms. Memorial and funeral serves have taken special place. These remain a strong feature today. The church holds the Books of Remembrance to all those who have died in service in the Royal Air Force. The Friends of St Clement Danes support the work and ministry of the Central Church of the Royal Air Force. The Friend's Patron-in-Chief is Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/units/st-clement-danes-church/friends-of-st-clement-danes// RAF MOD official website. Retrieved 25 August 2022.

The following have served as Resident Chaplain of St Clement Danes:

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• 1958–1959 Gerald Groves {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|QHC |size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Groves | forenames = Gerald| id = 37176 | accessed = 19 August 2019}}
• 1959–1960 Hugh Rees {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|MA|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Rees | forenames = Hugh| id = 12673 | accessed = 19 August 2019}}
• 1960–1965 Tom Ryder {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Ryder | forenames = Tom| id = 19728 | accessed = 4 September 2019}}
• 1965–1969 Leonard Ashton {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Ashton | forenames = Leonard| id = 11522 | accessed = 21 August 2019}}
• 1969–1971 Walter Pellant {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|QHC|AKC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Pellant| forenames = Walter| id = 12679 | accessed = 4 September 2019}}
• 1971–1976 Thomas Thomas {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Thomas | forenames = Thomas| id = 23753 | accessed = 4 September 2019}}
• 1976–1979 Glyndwr Renowden {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|FRSA|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Renowden | forenames = Glyndwr| id = 19303 | accessed = 4 September 2019}}
• 1979–1982 Dennis Clark {{Postnominals|country=GBR|MBE|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Clark | forenames = Dennis| id = 11650 | accessed = 4 September 2019}}
• 1982–1984 Raymond Hubble {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Raymond | forenames = Hubble| id = 35791 | accessed = 18 November 2019}}
• 1984–1987 Roger Kenward {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Kenward | forenames = Roger| id = 38963 | accessed = 18 November 2019}}
• 1987–1989 Michael Stokes {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Stokes | forenames = Michael | id = 38811 | accessed = 18 November 2019}}
• 1989–1991 William Sirr {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Sirr | forenames = William | id = 19305| accessed = 8 February 2020}}
• 1991–1993 Anthony Goode {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Goode | forenames = Anthony| id = 27339 | accessed = 8 February 2020}}
• 1993–1995 George McAvoy {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|MBE|QHC|size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = McAvoy | forenames = George | id = 19299 | accessed = 8 February 2020}}
• 1995–1997 Peter Bishop {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|QHC|FRSA|size=90%}}
• 1997–2002 David Mackenzie {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|FRSA |size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Mackenzie | forenames = Anthony | id = 26936 | accessed = 8 February 2020}}
• 2002–2005 Christopher Long {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|MBE|QHC| size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Long | forenames = Christopher | id = 9592 | accessed = 2 May 2020}}
• 2005–2009 Thomas Lee {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|AKC|FRSA| size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Lee | forenames = Thomas| id = 30263 | accessed = 2 May 2020}}
• 2008–2010 Canon Adrian Gatrill{{Crockford| surname = Gatrill | forenames = Adrian| id = 25154 | accessed = 2 May 2020}}
• 2010–2022 David Osborn {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|QHC|AKC |size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Osborn | forenames = David | id = 25478 | accessed = 2 May 2020}}
• 2022–present Mark Perry {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|MStJ|FRSA | size=90%}}{{Crockford| surname = Perry | forenames = Mark | id = 16053 | accessed = 25 August 2022}}

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RAF Padre Phil.jpg|A padre in combat uniform

Archbishop of Canterbury with military chaplains (Ray Pentland cropped).jpg|Ray Pentland in service dress

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• RAF Chapel
• Royal Army Chaplains' Department
• Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service
• Bishop to the Forces (Anglican)
• Bishopric of the Forces (Roman Catholic)
• {{section link|Military chaplain|United Kingdom}}
• Chaplain
• :Category:Royal Air Force chaplains

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{{reflist}}

• {{wikicite|ref={{harvid|Pitchfork|2008}}|reference=Pitchfork, Graham (Air Cdre (Ret'd)). The Royal Air Force Day by Day. Stroud, UK: History Press, 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-7509-4309-3}}.}}

• [https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/units/raf-chaplains RAF Chaplains] official website
• [http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/jobs/chaplain.cfm Careers: Jobs: Chaplain]. RAF Careers official website
• [https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/units/st-clement-danes-church/ RAF MOD St Clement Danes Church]. RAF MOD official website for St Clement Danes
• [https://stclementdanesraf.org St Clement Danes Church]. RAF St Clement Danes official website

{{Royal Air Force}}

{{RAF Chaplains-in-Chief}}

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