Announcements

ARMY PEOPLE

LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED

CSM David Richardson,

Newcastle City Temple Adherents Sec Chris Green and

Band Sgt Major Gordon Atter,

Swansea

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Diamond Elleen and Rtd CSM Terry

Sharman, York (29 September) Emerald (55th) Majors Diane and John Boyd (23 September) Majors David and Olive Drake (23 September) Majors Alan and Jean Leverett (23 September)

RETIRED OFFICERS’ BIRTHDAYS

Aux-Captain Reginald Bailey (90 on 17 September)

PROMOTED TO GLORY

B/Reservist/Songster John Scott,

Sherburn Hill Jim Johnson, Hove Major Kathleen Crichton from

Glebe Court on 28 August

BEREAVED

Rtd BM Howard Roberts,

Merthyr Tydfil, of his sister Margaret

Downes Major Margaret Mein of her sister

Beatrice Laidlaw Songster Joyce Scott, Sherburn

Hill, of her husband B/Reservist/

Songster John Scott, Graeme Scott and Joanne Scott of their father Steve Johnson, Hove, of his father

Jim Johnson

TRIBUTES

MAJOR JESSIE COTTON

KNOWN as ‘Major’, ‘Captain’, ‘Nursie’ and ‘Auntie’, Jessie was born on 20 February 1923. She was commissioned in 1950 at Clapton Congress Hall in Hackney, London. She decided to become an officer after becoming part of the congregation through her close friendship with the Varnals family during her childhood in Hoxton.

She served at Hoxton Goodwill Centre, where she delighted in responsibility for the day nursery, featuring on the front page of the War Cry with many of her infant charges. Her next posting was to Anderston in Glasgow, where she formed a lifelong friendship with Brigadier Eileen Luckham.

She subsequently ran a Salvation Army children’s home in Whitstable and the goodwill centre on the Boulevard in Hull, before returning to work for many years in Glasgow. Later she combined her working career at National Headquarters with caring for her elderly parents.

Jessie was devoted to her work for the Army and her faith never faltered. Despite her tiny stature, she worked tirelessly to bring joy and comfort to people in need. Jessie had seven brothers and sisters and was aunt to 10 nieces and nephews, all of whom loved her and remember her for her thoughtfulness, understanding and caring nature. She had a wonderful and mischievous sense of humour, and her joyful laugh rang out to brighten any day. – AR

ENGAGEMENTS

GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE

Newfoundland and Labrador Division, Canada and Bermuda Territory, Wed 7 Sep – Mon 12 Sale, Fri 16 – Sun 18 Vancouver (International Conference of Leaders), Thu 22 – Sun 2 Oct

THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM

Vancouver (International Conference of Leaders), Thu 22 Sep – Sun 2 Oct

THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL

Vancouver (International Conference of Leaders), Sat 24 Sep – Sat 1 Oct

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL PAUL MAIN) AND COLONEL JENINE MAIN

Celebrating 100 Years of Christian Ministry at High Leigh*, Wed 14 Sep – Thu 15 Swanwick (Chaplaincy conference)**, Wed 14 – Fri 16 Dunstable, Sun 18 *Colonel Paul Main only **Colonel Jenine Main only

MAJOR GISLINDE DAWSON

BORN in Berlin in 1943, Gislinde (Linda) Darnedde grew up in Alfeld near Hannover, where her father was a doctor of history. Linda had a talent for languages and worked as a French and English translator for Unilever in Hamburg.

Brought up in the Lutheran Church, Linda developed a strong faith and – already aware of God’s hand on her life – was planning to go to Bible college before she met Captain Rodney Dawson, the corps officer at Pokesdown, at a Christian holiday centre in Sweden.

Linda knew nothing about The Salvation Army and she underwent a steep learning curve after their marriage in 1974. Married life began in Sudbury, where Rodney served as a territorial envoy. Linda’s decision to become a soldier, and then train as an officer in the 1975–77 Companions of Christ session, were huge steps to take. Rodney became corps officer at Camberwell during that period.

Their first appointment was at Hanwell. Other appointments at Southall Citadel, Hillingdon, Slough, Halifax, St Mary Cray and Bishop’s Stortford preceded a very happy five-year stay in the North Wales Division with the Evangelism Unit.

Their final appointment was at Taunton, from where Linda retired in 2003.

Linda struggled with restricting and debilitating health problems caused by acute bipolar throughout her life. These greatly affected personal and officer-service relationships, and resulted in numerous hospital stays and treatments that were difficult for both her and Rodney to cope with.

She had a very real relationship with Jesus and was a woman of great faith – she often testified that in the bad times she was very much aware of the Lord’s presence with her.

Linda’s promotion to Glory was sudden and unexpected, but she is now free from pain and anxiety, resting in peace with the Lord she loved and faithfully served in her adopted country. – RD