Announcements 22 and

COMMISSIONER HARRY READ OF

RECIPIENT of the Order of the Founder Commissioner Harry Read was promoted to Glory on 14 December.

Harry was born in Teesville, North Yorkshire, and attended Grangetown Corps. While a paratrooper in the Second World War he became active at Edinburgh Gorgie Corps and from there entered the International Training College (ITC) in 1947 as a cadet in the King’s Messengers session.

After his training he was appointed a cadet-sergeant, and in May 1949 was appointed to Dorking Corps.

In May 1950 he married Lieutenant Winifred Humphries and together they served in corps ministry at Chichester, Eastbourne Old Town and Portslade before returning to the training college as section officers in 1954. An appointment to Hanwell Corps followed in 1962, and in 1964 Harry was appointed as divisional youth secretary in the South West Scotland Division of the Scotland Territory. Two years later he returned to the ITC, where he served for the next five years, first as field training officer and then as second side officer. During this time he provided the script for, and produced, the dramatic presentations for the Commissioning celebrations. Several songs written for these occasions are included in the Army songbook.

In 1972 he was appointed press officer and director of information services at IHQ, frequently taking part in radio and TV broadcasts. From 1975 until 1978 he served as divisional commander, Nottingham Division, then returned to the ITC as training principal.

The Reads’ first overseas appointments came in 1981 when Harry became chief secretary, Canada and Bermuda Territory. This was followed by his appointment in 1984 as territorial commander, Australia Eastern Territory, before serving as British Commissioner from May 1987 until retirement in October 1990. He remained active during retirement, including a brief appointment in 1993 as acting territorial commander of the now United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.

Commissioner Read will be remembered by all who were privileged to meet him as a true servant leader, and proved to be a role model for many. His writings, both poetry and prose, have proved to be of enormous help and support.

Mrs Commissioner Winifred Read was promoted to Glory in June 2007 and is remembered not only for the great support that she always gave to her husband, but also for her own individual giftings and service.

On 5 June 2019, at the age of 95, Commissioner Read took part in a parachute jump, reflecting one he had made as a 20-year-old in 1944 as part of the D-Day landings in Normandy. All who were with him on this second occasion, and all who watched the national TV coverage, could not help but be impacted by his gentle courage and heroism.

On 6 July 2019 General Brian Peddle admitted Commissioner Harry Read to the Order of the Founder. The citation read: ‘In recognition of a life of outstanding Christian witness in word, verse and deed spanning 75 years, with a recent and relevant witness through social media, captivating a global audience with the authentic message of reconciliation, hope and peace.’

Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham said, ‘We offer our sincere condolences and assurance of our prayers to Commissioner Read’s son, Major Dr John Read, and his daughter, Major Margaret Ord, together with their families.’ – AR

HAZEL CHAPMAN, WOOD GREEN

HAZEL was born in Highbury on 21 August 1933 and was a lifelong Arsenal fan. Having first attended The Salvation Army in Edmonton as a young child, her faith in God was seen when she joined Wood Green Corps in later years.

Hazel was faithful in her service at the homelessness drop-in and the Second Chance Sale. Her work as a foster carer was well known in the area and she is remembered by family and friends as a lady who had a lot of love to give.

She is missed greatly by all those who knew and loved her. – PK

Please note that soldiers’ and adherents’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk. DAVID WALSH, SOUTHPORT

BORN in Kirkcaldy, David was the younger of two brothers. Throughout his working life he worked for the NHS, specialising in pathology.

He married Carol in 1981 before they moved to Bellshill, where they remained until 1982. A further career move brought David and Carol, together with Craig and Lesley, to Southport.

A committed member of the cornet section, David served as band secretary for a number of years while Carol joined the songsters. During this time David’s career in the NHS continued to develop until he was appointed overall head of the Merseyside hospitals’ pathology department, a position he held until his retirement in early 2021.

A much-loved husband, father and grandfather, David was a fine example of a Christian who served his Lord faithfully. – GN

MAUREEN FULLMAN, SKEWEN

MAUREEN was raised in a Salvation Army family at Seven Sisters Corps, south Wales. She was a junior soldier and, in her early teens, an enthusiastic corps cadet. She would go to the hall every cold Sunday morning with her dad to light the boiler and regularly helped her mother scrub the wooden hall floor. She learnt to play the cornet and became a pub boomer, distributing Army papers two evenings weekly.

The family moved to Neath and linked up with Port Talbot when Maureen was in her late teens. She joined the band and songsters, became a pub boomer and a company guard and, for a while, primary sergeant. In 1961 she married YPSM Alf Fullman and they served together for almost 50 years until the corps closed and they transferred to Skewen.

Throughout her life Maureen was a lady of grace and prayer, with a joyous disposition. – AF