Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Kinesiology

Supervisor

Barney, Robert K.

Abstract

Jerome Davis, head of the Young Men’s Christian Association War Prisoner Aid program, was a devout Congregationalist dedicated to providing for the basic sport and recreation endeavours of German Prisoners of War interned in Canadian POW camps during the Second World War. Having worked with German Prisoners of War in Russia during the First World War, Davis firmly believed that WWII Allies the world over needed to change their generally antagonistic point of view towards German POWs, indeed, a point of view that required “moral revisionism.” Davis believed that the vilification and demeaning status of German POWs was not only wrong, but short-sighted and counterproductive. Davis’ family upbringing reflected a substantial Congregational bearing. His service in WW II continued to reflect the same philosophical/religious principles: principles of religious morality and practical theology that followed three basic steps: (1) the concern for and practical reasoning towards POW life and treatment; (2) the organization and administration needed in the mass provision of sporting goods; and (3) a theological deduction based upon scriptures that facilitated his sporting mission. To Davis, Christ’s commands: “do unto others” and “to the least of my people,” underscored his thought and practice. Salvation of German POW souls was a secondary goal subservient to providing boredom relief, escape prevention, and dissolving hard-line Nazi mistrust of religious organizations in general. Davis’ desire to provide sport equipment and help in sport programming organization for German POWs was a reflection of his life’s direction and commitment to “service.” Jerome Davis desired to reach German POWs through sport and Christian love. Stark statistics conveyed within this dissertation tell merely half of Davis’ story. From 1939-1943 Davis’ energy, vigor, and commitment to cause, communicated a deeper understanding as to why the Canadian YMCA War Prisoner Aid program proved a success

Summary for Lay Audience

Jerome Davis, head of the Young Men’s Christian Association War Prisoner Aid program, was a devout Congregationalist Christian who dedicated his life to providing for the basic sport and endeavours of German Prisoners of War interned in Canadian during the Second World War. Davis had previously worked with German Prisoners of War in Russia during the First World War. Davis believed that WWII Citizens the world over, needed to change their general opposed point of view of German POWs. Davis believed that civilians need to cultivate a point of view that counteracted hostile feelings towards German POWs (moral Revisionism). Davis believed that the vilification of German POWs was wrong, short-sighted and counterproductive to the war efforts of the YMCA. Davis’ service in WWII reflect the following philosophical/religious principles: (1) cultivating concern for and practical reasoning towards POW treatment; (2) the organization needed in the provision of sporting goods; and (3) Christian charitable principles, based upon scriptures, that facilitated his sporting mission. To Davis, Christ’s commands: “do unto others” and “to the least of my people,” underscored his thought and practice. Salvation of German POW souls was a secondary goal to providing boredom relief, escape prevention, and dissolving Nazi mistrust of religious organizations. Davis’ desire to provide sport equipment and help in sport programming organization for German POWs was a reflection of his life’s direction and commitment. Jerome Davis desired to reach German POWs through sport and Christian love. Stark statistics conveyed within this dissertation tell merely half of Davis’ story. From 1939-1943 Davis’ energy, vigor, and commitment to cause, communicated a deeper understanding as to why the Canadian YMCA War Prisoner Aid program proved a success.

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