Former Territorial Commander promoted to glory
BY DEAN SIMPSON
Commissioner John Clinch, Territorial Commander of the former Australia Southern Territory from 1993 to 1996, was promoted to glory in Melbourne on Saturday 24 October 2026, aged 95, after a short illness.
John faithfully served as a Salvation Army officer for 70 years and was married to Commissioner Beth for 73 years. John and Beth had been attending Camberwell Corps in retirement.
Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Australia Territorial Commander, said John was “a man of integrity, compassion, discernment and wisdom”.
“I met Commissioners John and Beth recently at Camberwell,” Miriam said. “John told me his age and how he was still driving to the corps. Remarkable!
“And I remembered back to when John was Chief Secretary (Australia Eastern) and Beth Territorial Secretary of Women’s Ministries when I was a young officer. A wonderful partnership – John being a great administrator and Beth so very caring, and together, such great hearts for God and the Army. Well done John!”
John entered Officer Training College in Melbourne from the Fairfield Corps and trained in the Soul Winners session of cadets, being commissioned as an officer in January 1956.
Over the next 14 years, he served as a corps officer in places such as Korumburra, Dandenong, Morwell, Bentleigh, Chelsea and Launceston.
From 1970 to 1996, he served in various roles at Divisional and Territorial Headquarters, including Divisional Commander of South Australia (1979-83), Chief Secretary of the Australia Eastern Territory (1987-89) and Territorial Commander of Australia Southern Territory (1993-96). He retired in 1996.
He held one International Headquarters appointment – International Secretary for the SPEA Zone (1989-93).
John’s daughter-in-law, Lieutenant-Colonel Robyn Clinch, posted a heartfelt message on her social media on Monday.
“[John] was a great bloke who lived an adventurous life and, with us, was always helpful and caring and interested and kind,” she wrote.
“As a Salvation Army officer, Dad led with integrity and compassion, discernment and wisdom, and, even in retirement, was very active in showing God’s care and love for others. “He will be missed especially by the clan, which includes some 18 great-grandchildren. Beautiful Beth, his partner of some 73 years in marriage and ministry, will miss him terribly.”
The Salvation Army community’s love and prayers cover Commissioner Beth and children Ron, Greg, Carolyn and Andrew, and their families.
The funeral will be held at The Salvation Army, Bowen Street, Camberwell on Friday 30 October at 2.30pm.
Lieut-Colonel Robyn Clinch said: “In lieu of flowers, it would be wonderful if you would like to donate to Operation Generosity, a cause very close to John’s heart, that sees retired officers being supported in developing countries where they have very little financial support:
TSA RETIRED OFFICERS FELLOWSHIP BSB: 033112 ACC: 387378 (Add OG on payment details and include name, if you would like a receipt.)
