Book sheds new light on Salvation Army origins in Singapore, Malaysia
- deansimpson7
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
BY LAUREN MARTIN
It has been revealed that The Salvation Army’s origins in Singapore and Malaysia date back at least 44 years before official Salvation Army records.
A new book, to be launched this weekend by The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History and author Dr Bruce Gale, details the work of The Salvation Army in Singapore, dating back to the work of “unsung pioneers” – Salvation Army soldiers and officers who visited Singapore and then Malaya in the late 1800s.
Dr Gale said he discovered the unreported history by chance while researching a story as a journalist for The Straits Times.
“I had always thought it was a bit strange that the official Salvation Army history stated that the work in Singapore began only in 1935,” he said. “After all, it was widely known that The Salvation Army started operations in Japan, China and the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) in the closing decades of the 19th century. And Singapore was a major British port throughout that period.”
During his search through the archives for the unrelated story, Dr Gale decided to type in ‘Salvation Army’ and see what came up.
“I was surprised to discover that the newspaper had reported on the activities of various Salvation Army officers in Singapore as early as 1891!”
He said he was inspired by the work of passionate Salvationists and wanted to share their vision and heart for serving people in the love of Jesus with the Army across the globe.
“Those early pioneers from 1891 onwards were tough and dedicated,” Dr Gale said.
“Brigadier Herbert Lord was in New Zealand on holiday when the Japanese attacked in December 1941. He insisted on returning. His plane landed in Singapore during a Japanese air raid.
“After the war, Adjutant Bainbridge (himself suffering from malnutrition and weighing a mere 90 pounds after years of incarceration by the Japanese) directed the entire official emergency relief effort from a headquarters established by the British military in the Victoria Memorial Hall. In common with other Salvation Army officers, he worked 18 hours a day while propped up with pillows on a chair.
“There are numerous accounts of both bravery and dedication in the book, involving both officers and ordinary Salvation Army soldiers.”
Dr Gale’s 176-page book, By Love, Serve One Another, The Salvation Army in Singapore and Malaya 1891-1960, is filled with images, documents and newspaper clippings, as well as fascinating eyewitness accounts.
It will be launched this Saturday 22 November in a live event across three different time zones – 4pm in Singapore, 6pm in Brisbane and 9pm in New Zealand.
People who wish to attend can email AJSAHistory@gmail.com
