Viewpoint

Forgotten soldiers

Joe Schultz (Boscombe) draws a parallel between a forgotten soldier from the Second World War and those we tend to forget today

IN 1945 two events changed the course of history. The first was VE Day (8 May), which brought an end to hostilities in Europe. The second was VJ Day (15 August), which marked the end of the war. On 2 September, after two weeks of deliberations, the peace treaty was signed on board the USS Missouri at anchor in Tokyo Bay.

Some soldiers, however, were unaware of the signing of the peace treaty – men who had been posted to Pacific islands to keep the invading American forces out, with clear instructions that there would be no surrender. For some reason or other they never got the message that a peace treaty was agreed. They were a forgotten army of faithful, loyal men.

In 1974 a Japanese second lieutenant, who had not realised the war was over, surrendered his sword after 29 years. Hiroo Onoda had been posted to Lubang Island in the Philippines. Soon after the war he found leaflets dropped from the air announcing that the war had ended, but he believed that they were an enemy trick. Throughout those long years, he went out at night to forage for nuts and roots and to fish in the sea. Each morning he went back to his cave in the forest.

Two fishermen discovered him fishing in the sea, but he was still not convinced that there had been a surrender. The Japanese authorities decided to send his ageing former commanding officer to release him of his responsibilities. Only then did he surrender and return home.

This reminded me of another army of forgotten soldiers – people who once proudly marched behind the yellow, red and blue flag. Up and down this green and pleasant land of ours – in every town and city – there are forgotten people, who were once part of our Army and, for whatever reason, have become lost to our corps. They may still be Salvationists at heart and remain loyal to their faith, believing that the spiritual battle goes on.

One Sunday night, in the early days of The Christian Mission, William Booth and his 12-year-old son, Bramwell, were returning home from a meeting. William opened the door of a drinking saloon so that his son could see inside, where there were dishevelled and drunken men and women, and said, ‘These are our people.’ There is no doubt that the lost and the outcast need our love and acceptance. That remains the Army’s mission. But let’s not forget the people out there who still live by what the yellow, red and blue stands for. They also need our love and acceptance. In the words of the Founder, ‘These are our people.’

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ARMY PEOPLE

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Platinum (70th) Colonels Edward and Eva Cotterill (2 June) Diamond Lieut-Colonels Brenda and Ray

Oakley (3 June) Emerald (55th) Andy and Hilary Sims, Bromley

Temple (4 June) Majors Jorgen and Libbet Booth (4 June) Majors Ann and Victor Kidd (4 June) Majors Christine and John Travers (4 June) Golden Majors Evangeline and Lawrence

Brown (5 June) Majors Barbara and Robert Davies (5 June) Majors Olive and Peter Dickson (5 June) Majors Muriel and Robert

McClenahan (5 June)

RETIRED OFFICERS

Birthday congratulations Major Beryl Watts (80 on 4 June) Major Olive Stevens (85 on 4 June) Major Ann Ashworth (80 on 4 June)

PROMOTED TO GLORY

Maisie Hewis, Birmingham Citadel, on 1 May Songster Barbara Payne, Sheringham, on 4 May TE Edward Dean, Dartford, on 9 May Major Paul Holifield from his home in

Christchurch on 11 May

BEREAVED

Dep BM Stephen Selfe, Staple Hill, and

Andrew Selfe of their father Bram Selfe Bandsman John Payne, Sheringham, of his wife Songster Barbara Payne,

Penny Hippey, Susan Cox and

Melody Linberg of their mother,

Beverley Linden, Coventry City, and Alastair Taylor-Payne of their stepmother Captain Sue Dean, Dartford, of her husband TE Edward Dean Major Glenda Holifield, The Booth

Centre Lifehouse chaplain, of her husband Major Paul Holifield Angela Horne of her husband Kenneth,

Cheryl Horne, Leighton Buzzard, and

Gary Horne of their father

TRIBUTES

MAJOR DAWN DAVIES

BEFORE starting her service with The Salvation Army Major Dawn Davies had said she would never wear a uniform or put on a bonnet. These, however, became the tools of a ministry that focused on both telling the gospel and living it, demonstrating the love of God in practical ways wherever there was need.

Dawn commenced her ministry as an envoy in the South Wales Division with her husband, Norman, in 1972, going on to join the Soldiers of the Cross session in 1973 from their home corps of Cardiff Cathays.

Dawn had trained as a nurse, worked as a youth hostel warden and was a full-time mother to Llynette and Clive. Appointments with Norman centred on London, where they served in areas with great need.

While appointed to King’s Cross Goodwill Centre, she persuaded supermarkets to donate food on its sell-by date and used that to feed many hungry families. Dawn also had a gift for raising funds to ensure her appointments were self-sufficient.

In 1988 Captains Dawn and Norman Davies were appointed to Falmouth Road Goodwill Centre, where Norman was promoted to Glory. Dawn carried on in that appointment on her own until moving to Ottery St Mary, then to Nottingham Goodwill Centre where she had been with Norman for their summer out-training in 1974. Her final corps appointment was Irthlingborough, retiring from there in 1998 to Caterham, the year that she would have retired with Norman.

Dawn returned to south Wales where Llantwit Fardre became her home. She worshipped at Williamstown and joined the outpost that opened close to her bungalow. The outpost was not successfully established and the fellowship became part of the Elim church. Dawn worshipped with them when her mobility became severely restricted.

Dawn’s strong faith and determination to demonstrate God’s love remained important to her right until the end. – CD

BOBBY QUINN, SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD

ROBERT Francis Quinn was born in 1925 at Seaham Harbour. Bobby, as he became affectionately known, moved to Sunderland Millfield with his family when he was a child. There he played an active role in the juniors and the Scouts, later becoming a member of the senior sections.

In 1943 he enlisted in the RAF, serving in India and Burma. In 1949 Bobby married his lifelong sweetheart, Renie Ferry, and transferred to Sunderland Monkwearmouth. In due course children, Malcolm and Joy, completed the family.

Bobby served as band secretary for 35 years and had responsibility for numerous band weekends in the UK and several overseas campaigns.

Returning to Sunderland Millfield in 2007, he continued to be an encourager to all. His regular attendance at band rehearsals and his personal testimony in worship meetings will be missed.

Bobby was a true Christian gentleman who was loved and respected by his friends, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. – RB

EDWIN SIMONS, CONSETT

BORN in 1927 in Consett to Salvationist parents, Edwin attended The Salvation Army all his life. He was married to Vera for 67 years and had one daughter, Christine.

Edwin actively engaged in all aspects of corps life and held several local officer commissions, including bandsman, songster, singing company leader and young people’s sergeant-major. In retirement he felt led to form a weekly prayer fellowship, which remains an active aspect of corps life today. Many people who have attended the corps have been enriched by his words of encouragement; his smile and friendly handshake ensured that everyone was made welcome and felt valued.

Edwin was described by those who knew him as a true Christian gentleman. He is greatly missed by his family and friends. – JP

DAVID HOPKINS, NOTTINGHAM WILLIAM BOOTH MEMORIAL HALLS

DAVID was a fine Christian man. Words such as ‘loyal’, ‘consistent’, ‘kind’, ‘dependable’ and ‘solid’ easily flowed in any reference to him. Lifelong service in The Salvation Army typified David’s dedicated Christian living.

He was a local officer for more than 30 years and a bandsman for 58 years, displaying good humour and integrity in all his dealings. Never professing musical excellence, he played his part in the bass section incomparably.

Having served the NHS as a chief finance officer for many years, David used retirement to spend quality time with his wife of 53 years, Marian, his son, Paul, his daughter, Tracey, and their families. He also found time to be band librarian and, along with Marian, was part of the corps welcome team. Together they gave excellent service within the Army’s antitrafficking and modern slavery work.

David is sorely missed, but he leaves a tremendous legacy. – KP

DOROTHY TURRELL, BIRMINGHAM CITADEL

DOT, as she was affectionately known, was a uniformed soldier at Birmingham Citadel for 52 years. She was one of those people willing to go the extra mile in her service for the Lord. She assisted at the Cameo group and would volunteer to help with the Christmas Day meals preparation. She also supported the day centres at Birmingham Aston Corps and Nechells Goodwill Centre.

Dorothy picked people up in the corps minibus for various activities and attended Sunday morning worship when her health would permit.

Her husband, Bob, was sadly promoted to Glory after 16 years of marriage, and her brother, Derek, died in 2019. This left Dorothy without any living relatives, but she saw The Salvation Army at Birmingham Citadel as her family. Dorothy was a true servant of God. – RO

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CHAPLAIN

HOLYWOOD, BELFAST

Job summary

The Salvation Army believes that all people have unique and absolute value regardless of their age, cognitive or physical ability. Spiritual care is an important part of the care provided at Sir Samuel Kelly Memorial residential care home where we improve the quality of the lives of older people by providing excellent person-centred services. The chaplain is a key member of the team – supporting residents, relatives and staff and embodying the ethos and values of The Salvation Army.

Key responsibilities

With training and support, you will be responsible for the delivery of the spiritual programme. This includes, but is not limited to, arranging and leading meaningful, relevant and dementia-friendly weekday and Sunday worship and ensuring Christian festivals are celebrated. You will work alongside the home manager to ensure that the Christian ethos is maintained throughout the general management of the home.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

An understanding and empathy for older people and their needs Be an active Salvationist A good communicator and experienced at leading public worship Willing to engage in training

SALARY

£24,024 per annum

WORKING HOURS

40 hours per week – will consider part-time for the right candidate; may include unsocial hours

CONTRACT Permanent

DETAILS

25 days’ annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata for part-time); a contributory pension scheme; season ticket loan; an employee assistance programme

CLOSING DATE

28 May

INTERVIEW DATE

8 June

This role has an occupational requirement that the successful candidate must be a committed and practising uniformed Salvationist

For further details and to apply please visit salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs