Cope, John Lelean (Chaplain, b.1869 - d.?)

Diaries, letters and other personal papers of Captain John Lelean Cope, Chaplain to 14th Battalion. The twenty one diaries cover the period July 1915 to January 1918. The letters were written mainly by Chaplain Cope to his family between October 1915 and April 1917. Amongst the topics covered in the diaries and the letters are his methods for censoring letters, description of the fighting in Gallipoli in December 1915, descriptions of troop movements including desert marches, doubts as to his ability in fulfilling some of the chaplaincy roles, his relations with officers, soldiers and other chaplains, arrangements for sports programs, his church services and religious reading. There are also a few letters received by Reverend Cope from his wife and other family members, newspaper cuttings including articles written by Reverend Cope, menus, sports programs, photographs, a nominal roll of the 11th Reinforcements, 14th Battalion, as they sailed from Melbourne on 11 October 1915 and a signed testimonial from soldiers who returned with him to Australia on HMAT Ulysses.