"The Ghost Squadron". While overseas, he had the privilege of meeting King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Elizabeth. These three members of the Royal Family visited Bomber Command where Rev. Coleman was stationed in 1944.

Early in 1945, Henry Rogers Coleman was promoted to senior chaplain. Shortly after V.E. Day, he was called to London to be Deputy Chief of Canadian Air Force Chaplains, and later to be chief. Rev. Coleman came home to Canada in 1946. He was the last chaplain to return from overseas.

While on a visit to New York, Rev. Coleman was requested to assume the rectorship of Grace Church, City Island. He accepted the challenge in 1946, and remained in this position until his death on March 20, 1967. The year previous to his death, he was advised by his doctor that he could not survive another heart attack, and that it was necessary for him to slow down. In spite of this knowledge and the constant prodding of those who loved him, he would not spare himself in his work. On Palm Sunday, the day before his death, he conducted four services, and in the evening he was at White Plains for the final rehearsal of the Feast of the Paschal Lamb. He worked to the very last second on his earthly life doing what he loved to do.

Rev. H.R. Coleman was an active member of the masonic order. While at Port Hill in 1927, he was raised to 3rd degree mason at Alexandra Lodge. Later he became a 32nd degree mason and a Shriner. The latter honor was bestowed upon him at the Mecca Shrine in early 1960. Three years later, in the month of September, he reached the pinnacle of 33rd degree mason.

On April 30, 1927 Rev.Coleman married Gladys Laura Dorse in St. Paul’s Church, Runnymede, West Toronto. Their first home was the rectory of Port Hill Parish. Three of their four children were born on Prince Edward Island, namely: Ada Frances (1928), Donald Ewart (1931), and Hilda Ruth (1932). Their fourth child, Henry Douglas, was born at Westfield, New Brunswick in 1936.

Mrs. Laura Coleman provided the following information regarding her husband’s

ministry in the Parish of Port Hill:

Up until his rectorship, some members of the vestry went twice a year to collect money from the parishioners to maintain the material needs of the Parish. Before he left, the long-sought envelope system was initiated.

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