Announcements

ARMY PEOPLE TRIBUTES

DEDICATED TO GOD

Aria Arthur-Beggs, daughter of

Christine Arthur and Mark Beggs, at Belfast North by Majors Ian and

Sally McBride

RETIRED OFFICERS’ BIRTHDAYS

Major Hilda Dallas (95 on 25 December) Lieut-Colonel Dorothea Havercroft (90 on 31 December)

PROMOTED TO GLORY

Joan Duffin, Norwich Mile Cross Songster Margaret Browning,

Dudley, on 4 December

BEREAVED

Bandsman Alf Duffin, Norwich Mile

Cross, of his wife Joan Duffin Captain Dawn Roden, Edmonton, and Karen Bridgewater of their mother Margaret Browning,

Commissioner Brenda Coles

of her sister

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

LONG SERVICE 25 years Major Mark Holder, Derby Central 35 years Major Ian Loxley, Addlestone Major Jean Loxley, WBC

RETIREMENTS FROM ACTIVE SERVICE Effective 1 December Captain Sue Dean out of

Boscombe in 1980 and last appointment Dartford

ANTHONY COTTERILL

Commissioner Territorial Commander

WHAT’S ON

LANCASHIRE SINGS CHRISTMAS

Join voices with Churches Together in Lancashire! Sing your socks off with The Salvation Army’s Blackburn and Preston Bands, the People’s Choir and the Rev Phil Gough, chair of the Lancashire Methodist District, live from the BBC Radio Lancashire Studio. This broadcast is available at bbc.co.uk/sounds until 15 January

ROY SMITH, HUCKNALL

ROY was born and brought up in Bulwell. He was the third child in a family of seven children. His parents were committed Salvationists and Roy retained a respect and affection for the Army all his life. He worked as a coal miner for all his working life, a career that almost cost him his life when he was buried in a serious accident underground involving a roof collapse.

Roy became involved in the corps in his later years and enjoyed belonging to the over-60 club as well as spending time with others at the regular coffee mornings. His greatest joy, however, came when he decided to declare his faith in the Lord by becoming a soldier.

Roy was promoted to Glory shortly after his 90th birthday. He was a devoted father and grandfather, and is survived by his daughter, Carole, son, Kevin, and seven grandchildren. He will be remembered with affection. – MB

RICHARD WHYTE, EDINBURGH GORGIE

RICHARD and his siblings learnt to love the Lord when his mother took them to Sunday school at the former Leith Citadel. After some time away from the Army he returned, but to Edinburgh Gorgie, where he became a soldier.

Although Richard had health issues, he was a happy man. He enjoyed reading, especially the Bible, which he carried everywhere he went. He accepted responsibilities in the corps for the recycling programme, shifting chairs and tables and volunteering in the food bank – tasks without glory but he did them faithfully.

His overflowing enthusiasm for worship was obvious and infectious. He praised joyfully and with complete freedom. He addressed people as a ‘bairn of God’, a phrase which sums up Richard’s life.

Richard, a father and grandfather, will be greatly missed. – LC

MARGARET TANNER, WILLIAMSTOWN

MARGARET was born to Phyllis and William Vaughan in 1927. After losing both parents to tuberculosis, she went to live with her aunt and uncle. Margaret married Ken Tanner in 1951 and had three children – Ken, Gareth and Colin.

Margaret always wanted a daughter and her granddaughter, Vicky – whom she raised – became like a daughter to her. She came to the Army in later life following the death of her husband in 2010. She was welcomed as an adherent in 2011 and enrolled as a soldier in 2014. A true Salvationist, Margaret was an important and integral part of the fellowship. She enthusiastically joined in everything and had a modern outlook on life.

Margaret had a wide interest in all sorts of things. After ill health, she was promoted to Glory surrounded by her loving family. They thank God for the life of Margaret Tanner and for all the love, joy and happiness that shone through it. – EB

BERYL HOLMES, FELIXSTOWE

BORN in Lavenham, Beryl spent her whole life serving the Lord she loved as a soldier of her local village corps. She held a number of positions there, including as junior soldiers sergeant and guard leader. She later married Cliff Holmes and had a son, Robert, whom she spent her life looking after following his life-changing accident as a teenager, but it never affected Beryl’s dedicated service within the corps.

In 1960 she became the home league secretary, a position she held for more than 50 years. Beryl also started a weekly parent-and-toddler group and took responsibility for the very successful luncheon club.

Cliff was promoted to Glory in 1999, as was Robert in 2018. To honour her service to the community, in 2009 Beryl received the Maundy money from the late Queen Elizabeth II at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Beryl will be missed by her friends within the corps and also by the village she loved. – DN