Planning to do a diorama in the Market Garden build with a military priest giving the last rites to a dead soldier. The Father is kneeling over the dead soldier finnishing the rite with doing the cros sign above the face of the dead soldier.

My questions as being a heathen is:
-Is it done that way?
-Can I have the dead mans head covered with a blanket? Or would the priest remove that when giving the last rites.
-What would distinguise a british field priest from other officers?

Good call Dustoff, being Catholic the forehead would be annointed with oil during last rights. But I do believe that the majority of British chaplins would have been Angelican????

only hours away before we start.....and then Toke comes walking in with an idea...... a SUPERB DIO IDEA !!!!!!

This could create an atmosphere with a big A.... splendid thinking. I will try to find a screenshot from a Bridge too far to give you an idea of how the scene can look like.

The last rights involves applying annointed oil (holy chrism) to the forehead, eyes, lips and IIRC the heart (chest). Depending on the damage to the wounde, some of this might not be possible, of course. There is also sparying with holy water from a specialized container, though this could be improvised and, again, IIRC, paryers where a crucifix is held over the dyiing/deceased. In the last case, I think the cross is held in the left hand at the priest's chest height, with the figure of Christ facing the recipient and the right hand makes the sign of the cross with the palm facing the priest's center line (think classic "karate chop" position.)

I think all the posted guesses about the 'last rites' stated above are correct in my peripheral understanding of Catholicism, (in - laws)
I would think the chaplain would have a sash around his neck that would be bedazzled with the cross, and have one on his helmet, and perhaps shoulder eppelettes.
Other than that, i think they pretty much look like grunts.

Where would the Holy Book, be during this?
This is a great idea, and I'm surprised the dio market manufacturers havent offered one that he can use as a reference...
Found two links that may be of some help:
US Army's recruiting for chaplains (pic of the sash)
http://chaplain.goarmy.com/
Google's search results for
"Military" + "Chaplian" + "Last rites"
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22Military%22+%2B+%22Chaplain%22+%2B+%22last+rites%22

Good luck, great idea, post pics!!!

First of all, thank you all for helping me with this matter.

Lets see, If I understand this right the padre should have a cross(crucifix?) in his hand above the dying soldier which should be uncovered. The field priest should have some sort of purple sash over his neck hanging down and bareheaded?

Thanks againg for the info and inspiration.

The uniform of the chaplains was exactly the same as that of the combat troops. One addition would of course be a small wooden case to contain his vestements, unctions and small chalice . Other denominations (protestant, jewish etc.) would not require these items. Many chaplains jumped into the operation with their battalions and the other landed with the glider units. A good example of their participation, can be seen in the film, The Longest Day. They were always in the front-line and it would be nice to commemorate their bravery as well. Great idea! Jim