| Original caption: “United States wounded soldiers attend Mother’s Day services in blitzed Coventry Cathedral, England. Men are patients in nearby convalescent hospitals. Mayor of Coventry attended ceremony.” Wounded American soldiers attend Mother’s Day services in Coventry Cathedral, destroyed during the Blitz. Men are patients in nearby convalescent hospitals. The Mayor of Coventry, John Charles Lee Gordon (December 2, 1886 – June 4, 1968) attended the ceremony. The Coventry Standard reported on May 19, 1945, “The contingents of American soldiers from convalescent centers who attended the service of thanksgiving at the Memorial Park on Sunday afterwards marched with their band to Coventry Cathedral, where a ‘Mothers’ Day’ service was held. The service was conducted by the Provost, the Very Reverend Richard T. Howard (June 12, 1884 – November 1, 1981), who gave an address, assisted by United States Army Chaplain Charles L. McEachern (November 3, 1895 – March 14, 1972). The Mayor and the Mayoress and aldermen and councillors of the Corporation also attended. Chaplain McEachern, Chaplain Corps, Headquarters, 5th Tank Destroyer Group, of Revere Massachusetts, received the Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat in France during late 1944. Living on the front lines, McEachern ruined his personal health administering to the men of the 5th Tank Destroyer Group, contracting bronchitis. At the time of the service in Coventry Cathedral, he was a recovering casualty himself. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2023.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.33 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 2301 x 2886 |
| Photographer | Alan R. Cissna |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | May 13, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | Coventry |
| State or Province | West Midlands |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-111-SC-206681 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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