Product Description

The Canvas Chapel is not only Bryn Little's personal account of the Second World War - including the aftermath of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain; the North African and Italian campaigns, and the immediate post-war period in Austria - but it also interprets these events and their effects in the light of his growing call to the Christian ministry.

Bryn Little, the manager of a tyre shop in Weymouth at the outbreak of war in 1939, joined the army in February 1940 intending to use his skills as a tyre specialist. The army had other ideas and he became a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps.

He soon learnt the hardships of army life, made life-long friendships and met humour as well as tragedy throughout the next five years. Through the horrors of front-line action - which brought him the immediate award of the Military Medal during the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy - Bryn felt the call to minister to the spiritual needs of those around him and to take up that calling professionally.

Pursuing that call meant academic study - often under enemy fire - and overcoming entrenched attitudes among church leaders. Nonetheless, Bryn's persistence paid off. He left the army in November 1945 to take up formal training for the Baptist ministry in Rawdon College, Leeds.

On one level, this book provides valuable and rare first-hand accounts of army life during the Second World War. On another level, it offers an insight into one man's Christian piligrimage through adversity that should both challenge and inspire.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #747795 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 164 pages

From the Back Cover
The Canvas Chapel is not only Bryn Little's personal account of the Second World War - including the aftermath of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain; the North African and Italian campaigns, and the immediate post-war period in Austria - but it also interprets these events and their effects in the light of his growing call to the Christian ministry.

Bryn Little, the manager of a tyre shop in Weymouth at the outbreak of war in 1939, joined the army in February 1940 intending to use his skills as a tyre specialist. The army had other ideas and he became a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps.

He soon learnt the hardships of army life, made life-long friendships and met humour as well as tragedy throughout the next five years. Through the horrors of front-line action - which brought him the immediate award of the Military Medal during the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy - Bryn felt the call to minister to the spiritual needs of those around him and to take up that calling professionally.

Pursuing that call meant academic study - often under enemy fire - and overcoming entrenched attitudes among church leaders. Nonetheless, Bryn's persistence paid off. He left the army in November 1945 to take up formal training for the Baptist ministry in Rawdon College, Leeds.

On one level, this book provides valuable and rare first-hand accounts of army life during the Second World War. On another level, it offers an insight into one man's Christian piligrimage through adversity that should both challenge and inspire.

Customer Reviews

The Canvas Chapel by E. Bryn Little
An interesting and insightful book which should appeal to many different people on many different levels. Firstly this book is an excellent account of the Second World War Campaigns of Northern Africa and Itay. Secondly the book is a personal testimony of the author - detailing both his physical and spiritual journey during this key stage in his life. Books of this quality are hard to come by, so I would recommend that if you get the chance this book is well worth the read.

FORGET BAND OF BROTHERS -HERES WARTIME EYWITNESS AT ITS BEST
For those of you who like reading eye witness accounts from the front line of various conflicts, this is for you. I loved for example Band of Brothers but that US Gloss discounted it in my mind. Canvas Chapel is a real find however. True its not the cheapest paperback but I found it to be worth every penny.

We all love those History Channel scenes where they use the accounts of soldiers at Waterloo or the Somme and in that fashion this too will become a historical classic.

The book which opens with a Stuka attack - follows the progress of the author from call up to hotspots such as Monte Casino and then draws a philosophical note in demonstrating how his faith evolved and strengthened through the conflict. Its not however a religious book as such but the author's convictions add a depth and perspective that are refreshingly frank and interesting.

If your relative of friend likes eye-witness accounts then this is a must have for a birthday or Christmas present.

FORGET BAND OF BROTHERS, THIS IS EYE WITNESS AT ITS BEST
For those of you who like reading eye witness accounts from the front line of various conflicts, this is for you. I loved for example Band of Brothers but that US Gloss discounted it in my mind. Canvas Chapel is a real find however. True its not the cheapest paperback but I found it to be worth every penny.

We all love those History Channel scenes where they use the accounts of soldiers at Waterloo or the Somme and in that fashion this too will become a historical classic.

The book which opens with a Stuka attack - follows the progress of the author from call up to hotspots such as Monte Casino and then draws a philosophical note in demonstrating how his faith evolved and strengthened through the conflict. Its not however a religious book as such but thew author's convictions add a depth and perspective that are refreshingly frank and interesting.

If your relative of friend likes eye-witness accounts then this is a must have for a birthday or Christmas present.