YA? Ghost short story. Boy goes missing in a hidden church. Boy wants to be a soldier like brother who died. UK, during or after WW2. Pater. Read in early 2000s. Spoilers.

[Blue]

I'm really looking for a short story I read in the early 2000s I think and would appreciate any help. I think it may be a young adult story but may be wrong.

It's about a young boy in the UK. I think it's either during or after the second world war. His brother I think died in service and he wants to be a soldier. He goes exploring and finds what he thinks is a soldier's church and is introduced to the minister. He learns it's a church for soldiers. Then he's introduced to an older member called "Pater."

Spoiler: The boy goes missing and it turns out to be a temple of Mithras that he was visiting. 2 adults are discussing the case and wondering.

It's never revealed what happened to the boy.

Does this strike a chord? it was really well written so I'd like to read it again.

[Kris]

Blue, did you read this short story in an anthology/ collection? (If yes, what do the stories have in common?)

I copied a few books details to the header/ topic title. Feel free to edit it.

[Blue]

I think I read it in a ghost story anthology. It may have been one for children / young people.

Thanks for adding more header information.

[Rainbowheart]

Does anything on the Children's Ghost Story Collections list look familiar?