AJSAHistory Vol 7 Iss 1

ACF ‘V’ for victory button114

The Salvation Army also produced buttons to celebrate or hope for victory. One tin button
sported The Salvation Army flag in front of a cloud and the word “VICTORY” surrounded by the
Morse Code sign for the letter ‘V’ at the bottom. Another button was made of card and could relate
to The Army’s Tag Day. This button included the words “The Salvation Army Appreciation Day”,
with The Salvation Army Flag and the Australian Red Ensign crossed and overlaying a blue letter
‘V’. These buttons may have been developed for the Army’s 1945 “‘V’ Year Appreciation
Appeal”.115

Victory Button116 V for Victory Cardboard appreciation Button117

The Salvation Army learnt much about fundraising through the introduction of buttons. Prior
to WWI, fundraising was mainly done through open-airs, indoor meetings, and door-to-door
collection through its self-denial appeal. Buttons saw The Army reach larger populations with less
effort and increasing use of advertising, both through newspapers and the buttons themselves.
Buttons, especially those developed as a series, became collectable and more were sold. The buttons
helped to promote The Salvation Army War Work and connected the movement with the wider
community. Additionally, in the process of button selling, The Army worked with and supported
many other charities and organisations throughout the war years. From these lessons, The Salvation
Army went on to developed buttons for selling to raise funds for other areas of its work. It also used
buttons to promote loyalty within the movement, and spiritual campaigns out into the community.
These will be investigated in the future papers.

114 Garth Hentzshel’s private collection.
115 “Salvation Army Street Appeal”, The Kalgoorlie miner, (23 August 1945), 2.
116 “Salvation Army - Morse Code V for victory badge”, Federal Book & Collectibles Online Store,
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/619807967436531795, accessed 31 January 2022.
117 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 101

A collection of Salvation Army buttons1

1 Images of Salvation Army buttons over a Salvation Army Red Shield image created by the author.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 102

A MEMENTO FOR GIVING
A HISTORY OF SALVATION ARMY FUNDRAISING

BUTTONS IN AUSTRALIA
PART TWO

HOSPITALS, HOMES, & HOMAGE

Glenda Hentzschel

Introduction

This is the second of a series of papers investigating fundraising buttons connected with The Salvation
Army in Australia. The first paper in this research showed the importance of buttons to Salvationists,
and that Salvationists would sell buttons to support both The Salvation Army’s work and the work of
charities with similar aims. The previous paper gave a brief history of buttons specific to the Australian
historical context and showed benefits of their use.2 As shown, buttons became popular as a fund-
raising tool during World War One. The two world wars had similarities in the field of button usage,
therefore the two time periods were investigated in the former paper.

The donation activities throughout World War One helped establish the place of button selling
within the fundraising arsenal of the Army and other charities. The practice became so widespread that
in the 1920s limits on charities were fixed by local and state authorities. The practice however remained
popular within the Army until the 1980s, while some charities still use buttons as one, in a variety, of
fundraising activities.

This paper continues the discussion on the history of the fundraising button in the Australian
Salvation Army context. It was found that a vast variety of buttons were used to raise funds for The
Salvation Army and by the Army in support of others. The paper will investigate several examples of
appeals held that used buttons to collect finances; both organised by other funds and those developed
by The Army. It will be shown the buttons had many themes and were used for a variety of fundraising
endeavours. Where clear examples of buttons were found, without breaching copyright laws, images of
these have been included.

Hospital Sunday, collection of funds and hospital buttons

As shown in the first paper, The Salvation Army assisted in raising funds for other charities. An early,
more than likely the earliest, form of fundraising The Salvation Army in the Australian colonies did
for non-Army funds was for hospitals, laying-in homes (1880s – 1920s),3 and maternity homes (1918
– 1960s). Many medical facilities were owned and operated by Christian churches, private citizens,
or charitable foundations, therefore financial collections and later Button Days were conducted.

Reference citation of this paper; Glenda Hentzschel, “A memento for giving: A history of Salvation Army
fundraising buttons in Australia. Part two: Hospitals, homes & homage”, The Australasian journal of Salvation
Army history, 7, 1, 2022, 102 – 129.
2 Glenda Hentzschel, “A memento for giving: A history of Salvation Army fundraising buttons in Australia. Part one:
The beginning in a time of conflict”, The Australasian journal of Salvation Army history, 7, 1, 2022, 76 – 101.
3 “a private home or hospital where mothers could give birth with the help of a midwife” “Lying-in Home (1890s –
1920s)”, Find & Connect, (5 March 2015), ¶1, https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/wa/biogs/WE00650b.htm,
accessed 9 February 2022.; Gillian Ching and Garth R. Hentzschel, “Boothville: An historic Australian landmark and
Brisbane heritage listed former maternity hospital”, The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, 5, 1, 2020,
125 – 142.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 103

‘Hospital Sunday’, believed to have originated in England around the 1700s, was a special Sunday
where collections were made during church services/meetings.4 The Army in the colonies assisted
with the raising of funds for hospitals as early as 1880; this support continued throughout the
decades.5 Hospital funds, as with other fundraising groups took up the use of buttons for fund raising
during World War One. The war however saw the need to extend the medical work to support the
wellbeing of the troops, therefore the collection of money through the selling of buttons extended to
military hospitals and ambulances, which included Christian medical services to the troops.6 The
Salvation Army supported Button Days for hospitals throughout the two world wars as well as the
interwar years.7

Not only did The Salvation Army assist selling buttons for other hospitals, but as it had its own
hospitals, laying-in homes, and other medical work, it needed to sell its own buttons to raise funds.
Three examples of buttons that displayed Salvation Army nurses were found, yet these had no
indication of whether they were a part of medical work or homes for children or the aged. Button
Days were held for such social work of The Salvation Army, for example, the Lord Mayor of Adelaide
granted two Button Days to be held in the streets of Adelaide especially for the Children’s homes,
yet the buttons were not described.8 Also undescribed buttons were used in 1956, when a Button Day
was held to raise funds for both Bethany, and Weeroona, Women’s Eventide Homes.9 Other buttons
for Army children’s homes could however be identified. Perth’s Cottesloe Beach Girls Home Button
displayed “the image of a little inmate … surrounded by Western Australian flowers”.10

Two tags and a button depicting Salvation Army nurses11

The Salvation Army operated laying-in or maternity hospitals in several locations throughout
Australia. Button Days were held for the financial continuity of the work and to promote the work of

4 “Badge – ‘Hospital Day’, World War I, 1914-1919”, Museums Victoria, (14 February 1989),
https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/1551094, accessed 10 February 2022.
5 See for example, “Advertising”, The age, (23 October 1880), 3.; “Bendigo Hospital Sunday”, The Bendigo advertiser,
(15 October 1883), 3.; “Salvation Army Hospital Sunday”, The Bendigo advertiser, (23 November 1885), 3.; “Hospital
Collections”, The telegraph, (23 March 1900), 3.
6 See for example The Salvation Army raising funds for its own Ambulance fund, “S.A. Ambulance Fund”, The
Wangaratta chronicle, (12 May 1915), 2. For examples of some buttons sold during WWI see “Badge – ‘Hospital Day’,
World War I, 1914-1919”.
7 See for example, “Week-end appeals”, The argus, (21 October 1916), 16.; “Hospitals Button Day”, The argus, (11
October 1919), 20.; “Hospital Day: Arranging for Button Day”, The mercury, (29 May 1930), 11.; “Button Day for
hospitals”, The age, (26 October 1940), 22.; “Eight beds as gift to new hospital”, The examiner, (15 August 1941), 4.
8 “Personal intelligence”, The war cry, (Melbourne 3 December 1938), 11.
9 “Melbourne’s Button Day”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 17 March 1956), 5.
10 “The Salvation Army”, The West Australian, (22 September 1927), 14.
11 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 104

the hospitals. Of note are two different series of buttons. Both Hillcrest Hospital, and Boothville
Hospital, produced several different types of buttons.

First to the buttons that display ‘Hillcrest Hospital’. These buttons are difficult to link with a
specific work as The Salvation Army had two hospitals for mothers called Hillcrest. Hillcrest Hospital
located in Curry Street, Merewether, New South Wales operated from 1933 to 1977.12 The other
Hillcrest Hospital was in North Fremantle, Western Australia and was open from 1922 to 1974. Fund
raising by selling buttons may have supported both hospitals.

Generic buttons for “Hillcrest Hospital Appeal”13
There is evidence that at least one button would have been used for the sole purpose to raise
funds for the Hillcrest Hospital located in Curry Street, NSW. It was most likely made in 1954 for
the building of a private ward as it showed the image of the building in which the hospital operated.
The matron of the hospital had to organise the Button Day. The report stated,
A button day organised by the Matron of “Hillcrest” Mothers’ Hospital, Newcastle, raised £370.
It was held to raise funds for an additional private ward at the hospital.14

12 “Hillcrest Hospital (1933 – 1977)”, Find & Connect, (9 November 2021),
https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/nsw/NE00216, accessed 14 February 2022.
13 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.; Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
14 “‘Hillcrest’ Button Day”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 24 April 1954), 8.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 105

Button for the “Hillcrest Hospital Appeal”, Newcastle, 195415
Another Salvation Army hospital to use buttons was Boothville Mothers’ Hospital, Brisbane,
Queensland. The buttons were far more modern as they were larger than the other buttons in this
study and used plastic on the backs of the artefacts rather than the traditional metal backing. These
were developed not long before the Army closed the hospital in the 1990s.16

Button from Boothville Mothers’ Hospital, Brisbane, 1990s17
In addition to selling buttons for its hospitals, Salvationists held Button Days for other Army
medical work. In 1958, a mobile medical unit from Papua New Guinea toured Australia Eastern
Territory. To raise funds for the ‘unit’, Button Days were held. Orange Corps, NSW not only sold
buttons but was visited by the ‘unit’ and it was on display in the main street. Toowoomba Corps,
Queensland, was not visited by the ‘unit’, however, the corps still assisted and sold buttons.18

15 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
16 For a study on the history of Boothville see, Gillian Ching and Garth R. Hentzschel, “Boothville: An historic
Australian landmark and Brisbane heritage listed former maternity hospital”, The Australasian journal of Salvation
Army history, 5, 1, 2020, 125 – 142.
17 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
18 “Chief Secretary’s Notes”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 12 April 1958), 5.; “Medical unit on tour”, The war cry,
(Melbourne, 19 April 1958), 7.; “United effort”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 14 June 1958), 7.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 106

“Mobile Medical Unit” button, 195819

Wattle Day buttons

Wattle Day was another Button Day in which The Salvation Army was involved throughout World

War One. However, like Hospital Sunday, Wattle Day predated WWI and first appeared around 1910
as a way to raise “national sentiment” and “love of country” by wearing a spray of wattle in the
buttonhole.20 In 1915, the Commonwealth Button Fund committee took hold of the idea of Wattle
Day in New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. The Commonwealth Button Fund’s

committee moved the idea from selling a sprig of wattle to selling a button and so made buttons to
sell to raise funds.21 The Fund continued to organise Wattle Day and the associated buttons until 1921
when it was taken over by the Children’s Welfare Association of Victoria.22

Salvationists, together with other sympathisers assisted with button selling. During World War

One, finances from the Wattle Days were intended to go to organisations working with the troops and

The Salvation Army was one of the organisations. Once the war had ended, the Commonwealth
Button Fund looked to other types of charities to support; some of these were children’s charities.
The Army at this time ran children’s homes, so still fell into the category of the Fund’s focus groups,

and received finances.

An example of a button developed by “Wattle Day League S[outh].A[ustralia]. 1918”23

19 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
20 “Wattle day”, The critic, (31 August 1910), 4: “Notes and news”, The Gympie times and Mary River mining gazette,
(3 September 1910), 3. Such ideas were floated from at least 1906. “The butter market”, The Casino and Kyogle courier
and North Coast advertiser, (25 July 1906), 2.
21 Cate O’Neill, “Victoria – Event, Wattle Day Appeal (C. 1910 – c. 1975)”, Find & Connect, (28 October 2011),
https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/vic/biogs/E000376b.htm accessed 25 January 2022.
22 O’Neill, “Victoria – Event”.
23 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 107

In the 1920s, the Army went further than just selling buttons for Wattle Day. Salvationists
assisted the fundraising efforts in other ways which included, free use of its halls, the organisation of
refreshments, the transportation of personnel, and entertainment from the Army’s brass bands. The
Army also organised fetes and fairs for the appeal.24

Examples of Wattle Day buttons for children’s organisations post 1921, similar
to those sold by Salvationists and those from which the Army received money25

The Salvation Army’s social work for children became one of the recipients of the funds
collected in connection with Wattle Day. Children’s Homes, such as Box Hill Boys Home26 and Kew
Catherine Booth Girls Home27 under the management of the Army profited from Wattle Day button
sales

Although Salvationists willingly participated in selling buttons for Wattle Day, this research
failed to identify a Wattle Day button design that featured The Salvation Army. However, wattle did
appear on Salvation Army buttons. In 1922, it was reported in Perth that The Salvation Army had a
button that featured wattle;

…the city will be canvassed by an enthusiastic band of uniformed Salvationists, armed with
buttons and exemption badges. The design of the button is a boomerang with the word “Others”
on a spray of wattle.28

It was later reported that this button design was also sold on button day in Kalgoorlie, Western
Australia.29

Two other Salvation Army produced buttons were also identified that sported wattle, but they
appear not to have had a connection to the official Wattle Day. Firstly, there was a “Salvation Army
Appreciation Day” button bearing the image of Wattle for a donation of 6d. Secondly, there was a
button that displayed the image of a female Salvationist over wattle and under the words “the Army
of the Helping Hand.”

24 See for example, “Wattle Day”, The mercury, (15 June 1926), 5.; “Wattle Day appeal”, The mercury, (28 August
1926), 4.; “Wattle Day”, The mercury, (4 September 1926), 12.; “Wattle Day appeal”, The mercury, (6 September
1926), 2.
25 Wattle Day for children Australia 32mm tin badge showing young child for charity,
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/293104589942?hash=item443e651c76:g:D50AAOSwEgZc7HXC, accessed 14 February
2022.; World War I c1918 Wattle Day for children tinnie badge Australian small size,
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/324698122810?hash=item4b99842a3a:g:VpEAAOSw~HBZ8uGB, accessed 14 February
2022.
26 “Wattle Day”, The argus, (Melbourne, 15 January 1921), 17.
27 “Active auxiliary”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 12 August 1967), 7.
28 “The Salvation Army annual appeal”, The daily news, (28 September 1922), 1.
29 “Items of news”, The Kalgoorlie miner, (7 October 1922), 4.

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“Salvation Army Appreciation Day” button30 “The Army of the Helping Hand” button31
The Army of the helping hand

In 1919, Commissioner T. Henry Howard from London was the special guest at The Salvation
Army’s National Jubilee Congress in Adelaide. In one of the series of meetings, Howard gave a
lecture entitled “The Army of the Helping Hand”.32 He and other officers later presented the same
lecture in other ‘Jubilee Congresses’ and meetings throughout the country.33 This then linked to

fundraising buttons throughout 1919 to 1921. There were however also some examples of Button
Days through to 1953 that linked with this theme.34

Advertisement for ‘The Army of the Helping Hand’ button, 191935

30 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
31 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
32 “The Salvation Army”, The advertiser, (9 August 1919), 12. Newspapers attributed this phrase to Harrold Begbie
“Salvation Army appeal”, The Northam courier, (2 July 1920), 2. Others to the King, “Do you know this?” The Gosford
and Wyong district advocate, (26 August 1920), 5.
33 See for example, “Advertising”, The West Australian, (23 August 1919), 3.; “Advertising”, Recorder, (18 October
1919), 4.; “Advertising”, Bunyip, (13 August 1920), 3.
34 See for example, “Advertising”, The Brisbane courier, (29 August 1919), 2.; “The Salvation Army”, The border
watch, (31 October 1919), 2.; “The Army of the helping hand”, The transcontinental, (2 April 1920), 1.; “Items of
news”, The Kalgoorlie miner, (5 October 1921), 4.; “Advertising”, The morning bulletin, (16 October 1953), 8.
35 “Advertising”, The Healesville and Yarr Glen guardian, (25 October 1919), 1.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 109

Examples of three buttons and a tag linked with ‘The Army of the Helping hand’36

The main year that the buttons were sold in connection with the theme, ‘The Army of the
Helping Hand’, 1920, saw The Salvation Army launch an appeal throughout the Commonwealth of
Australia. The appeal requested the public contribute £100,000 to the Army’s work.37 In Adelaide,
South Australia, Salvationists assisted with this fundraising effort and held a Button Day which saw
collectors throughout the city. The target of the Button Day was to go towards South Australia’s quota
of £15,000. The Bank of New South Wales kindly agreed to receive and count the cash up till 9:00pm
and the corps band played in the evening.38 Newspapers announced that the prices of the buttons were
1/, 5/-, 10/6, and £1/1/- each.39

Tag Days

Tag Days, similar to Button Days were charity fundraising days where anyone who made a
contribution to the charity was given a tag, in a similar way to a button. Organisations stood on street
corners to collect donations. As shown in the first paper,40 The Salvation Army worked with the
Rockhampton United War Funds Tag Day; here it is shown the Army also conducted their own Tag
Days. In the 1930s and 1940s Tag Days were popular in The Salvation Army. The sources showed
Army Tag Days were associated with ‘Appreciation Days’, ‘Self Denial Appeals’, ‘Red Shield Tag
Day’, and ‘Badges Days’.41

36 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
37 “The Salvation Army Appeal”, The daily standard, (13 December 1920), 3.
38 “Salvation Army button day”, The advertiser, (21 May 1920), 6.
39 “Salvation button day”, The register, (21 May 1920), 6.
40 Hentzschel, “A memento for giving”, 93 – 95.
41 See for example, “Self-Denial week”, The argus, (12 September 1931), 22.; “Appreciation Day”, The Sunraysia
daily, (25 September 1931), 3.; “Salvation Army ‘Tag’ Day”, The age, (26 September 1931), 11.; “Salvation Army”,
The mercury, (23 May 1934), 9.; “Salvation Army”, The western star and Roma advertiser, (17 October 1931), 3.;

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 110

In the Australian context it appeared that Tag Days were implemented when there where limited
funds to purchase buttons upfront.42 On one occasion the hospital appeal in Melbourne did not finance
buttons and it was recorded, “The trouble was that those who had given had no ‘quittance’ badge or
token by which to show that they had already done their duty in regard to the appeal.” The committee
discussed that although a Button Day could not be held, some memento should be given. It was
decided, “In America and Canada this system is known as ‘tagging,’ and the day of appeal is known
as ‘Tagging’ day.43

Some notable examples range from the 1910s to the 1930s. In 1919, The Salvation Army ran a
Tag Day with the tag showing the Australian and Army flags crossed and including the words “Our
Bit for Salvation and Liberty”. 44 A large Tag Day appeal took place for Self-Denial week in
Melbourne during 1931. One report stated,

The Lord Mayor (Cr. Luxton) has approved of a “Tag Day” on Friday September, 25. This will
be known as “Appreciation Day,” and red shields bearing the words “God Bless you” will be sold
at 1/-. Special 10/- badges bearing the words “Peace and Goodwill”, will also be available.45

It became known that Hawthorn’s Mayor, John Williams George ordered 5,000 tags, and Lieutenant-
Governor, Sir William Irvine, K.C. wrote to The Salvation Army headquarters asking for his 10/-
badge from tag day. Obviously, there was great support for the tags.46

Example of badges, buttons and tags distributed in 193147

A different motivation of collecting money from tags occurred on 25 May 1934. The Army in
Hobart conducted a Tag Day in aid of its Elm Maternity Home (1897 – 1973) in Lansdowne
Crescent.48 No indication was given as to the design of this tag. It should be stated that Tag Days
were more prevalent in North America than in Australia. It was found that Canada held a tag day for
the troops on 16 March 1918 and still holds Tag Days 100 years later.49

“Church notes”, The telegraph, (25 November 1939), 6.; “Salvation Army”, The news, (12 September 1940), 4.; “The
Salvation Army Citadel”, The Queensland times, (22 February 1947), 6.
42 “Salvation Army”, The western star and Roma advertiser, (17 October 1931), 3.
43 “‘Tagging’ Day”, The argus, (8 October 1924), 18.
44 “Self-Denial appeal”, Pittsworth sentinel, (10 September 1919), 3.
45 “Salvation Appeal”, The herald, (10 September 1931), 15
46 William Irvine was the Deputy to the Governor and Chief Justice of the state of Victoria. “Victoria’s Tag Day”, The
war cry, (Melbourne, 26 September 1931), 9.
47 “Advertising”, The herald, (23 September 1931), 8.; Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
48 “Salvation Army”, The mercury, (19 May 1934), 3.: “Elim Maternity Hospital (1897- 1973)”, Find & Connect, (8
October 2021), https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/tas/TE00080, accessed 14 February 2022.
49 “Notes from the churches”, The chronicle, (27 July 1918), 43.; “Salvation Army’s Tag Day on Wednesday”,
Bernews, (7 May 2018), https://bernews.com/2018/05/salvation-armys-tag-day-wednesday/ accessed 14 February 2022.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 111

Advertisement for The Salvation Army’s Tag Day for Self-Denial Fund, 193150

50 “Advertising”, The herald, (23 September 1931), 8.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 112

Example of “Appreciation” tags, 1930s51

Salvation Army fairs – A button to enter

The Salvation Army extended the use of button selling from purely collecting money and distributing
a memento to acting as a ticket for an admission to fairs. The Army were not the only organisation to
use buttons as a way of identifying who had paid an entrance fee.52

The first identified button used as an entrance ticket for a fair appeared around August 1917.
The buttons were sold by Adjutant Lewis from Hawthorn Corps, Victoria. The report on the sales
boasted, “the pushing C.O., sold a thousand shilling buttons as season tickets before the Fair
commenced.”53 A decade later, September 1927, Hawthorn Corps again sold 1000 buttons for a fair,
this time to raise funds for Self-Denial and entitled “Kookaburra Fair”.54

Coming in a close second for the use of buttons as an entry ticket to a Salvation Army fair was
a button discussed in the previous paper. It was one of the ‘Captain Mac’ buttons for The Salvation
Army Melbourne City Temple’s Tartan Fair, held on Saturday 13 October 1917.55

Already shown two names of fairs held by The Salvation Army where buttons were sold;
“Kookaburra Fair”56 and “Tartan Fair”.57 Other names of fairs from 1917 to 1927 where buttons were
used as an entrance ticket included, “Floral Fair”, “Indian Fair”, “Our Founders’ Fair”, and “Victory
Fair”. Numbers of buttons sold for each fair ranged from 400 to 2250 buttons, while numerous reports
gave no indication of quantities traded.58 A number of buttons and tags that could be located that were
used as entry tickets to fairs will now be investigated to show examples of designs.

In the 1920s, Adelaide Congress Hall held “Wisteria Fairs”. In 1925 the button for the fair was
described as, “ The season button was of unique design, i.e. a photo of Envoy Boase surrounded by
wisteria.” The war cry report also gave a list of the top button sellers.59 Sadly, no image of this button
could be located.

51 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
52 See for example “Off the record”, The daily mercury, (7 April 1951), 2.
53 “Newslets”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 1 September 1917), 6.
54 “Hawthorn”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 17 September 1927), 7
55 “Salvation Army”, The herald, (13 October 1917), 20.
56 “Hawthorn”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 17 September 1927), 7
57 “Salvation Army”, The herald, (13 October 1917), 20. The title ‘Tartan Fair’ was also used by Malvern Corps in
1919. “A grateful soldier”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 25 October 1919), 5.
58 “D.C.’s doings”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 20 November 1920), 3.; “A grateful soldier”, The war cry, (Melbourne,
25 October 1919), 5.; “Newslets”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 25 September 1917), 6.; “Adelaide’s ‘Indian’ Fair”, The
war cry, (Melbourne, 6 October 1923), 12.; “‘Our Founder’’ fair at Kent Town”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 24 October
1925), 7.; “Cheerful chimes from Chitwell,” The war cry, (Melbourne, 31 October 1925), 7.
59 “Adelaide Congress Hall ‘Wisteria’ fair”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 17 October 1925), 7.

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In 1926 Adelaide Congress Hall held a “Morning Glory Fair” on 5, 6 and 7 October. The fair
was opened by Lady Mabel Florence Lucas, wife of Senator Sir Edward Lucas and the funds went to
the Self-Denial Appeal. The button for entry showed the details of the fair as well as images of
Commissioner and Mrs Whatmore.60

Another button from a different Wisteria Fair also held by Adelaide Congress Hall was located.
This button appears to come from 1928. The dates on the button correlate with those advertised for
the event. The fair was opened by Hon. Lady Zara Eileen Hore-Ruthven, Countess of Gowrie, the
wife of the Governor of South Australia. At the opening Hore-Ruthven gave positive remarks on the
work of The Salvation Army. The photograph on this button may also have been Envoy Boase, as the
one in 1925. Boase was the “general convener” of the fair. There is however no indication if this was
the case, or who the young girl was who also appeared on the button.61 It is interesting that while
different names were given to the fairs, there is evidence that Congress Hall used ‘Wistaria Fair’ on
a number of occasions.

Buttons for Adelaide Congress Hall fairs (left) Morning-Glory Fair, 192662
(right) “Wistaria Fair”, 192863

On 29 and 30 August 1928, Mildura Corps, Victoria held a “Blue Bird Fair”. Although the
artefact was located, the only additional information found on this fair was an advertisement.64 Just
over a year later, on 17 to 19 September 1929, the Adelaide Congress Hall, also held a “Blue Bird
Fair” in aid of the Army’s Self-Denial Appeal. The fair was again opened by Hon. Lady Hore-
Ruthven, and also Divisional Commander Brigadier H. Burhop. Other city dignitaries attended
throughout the event to support the Army. To link with the theme, the hall was decorated as “a blue
bird bower” and housed stalls of sweets, handkerchiefs, cakes, flowers and refreshments. There were
also music and choral programs. The tag was used as a ticket of entry.65 There was no indication why
the name of the fair was changed, or why a button was replaced by a tag.

The change of the Congress Hall button to tag may have given an indication of the wider decline
in the economy, or that of the corps. A point against such an idea is that although the Great Depression
was beginning to impact areas, other Salvation Army corps in Australia were still to use buttons as

60 “Salvation Army”, News, (1 October 1926), 13.; “The Salvation Army”, The advertiser, (6 October 1926), 22.;
“Salvation Army fair”, The advertiser, (8 October 1926), 23.
61 See for example “Salvation Army”, The news, (7 September 1928), 17.; “Salvation Army fair”, The advertiser, (12
September 1928), 14.
62 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
63 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
64 “Advertising”, The Sunraysia daily, (18 August 1928), 6.
65 “Blue Bird fair”, The news, (17 September 1929), 28.; “Salvation Army fair”, The advertiser, (19 September 1929),
7.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 114

entry tickets to fairs well into the 1930s. Another idea could be that by changing designs of buttons
and names of themes for fairs the wearer could be more easily identified as having paid the entry fee
for the current year. No discussion on the motivation to change buttons or themes were located and
the reasons can only remain speculatory.

(Left and Centre) Button and advertisement for Mildura Blue Bird “Fair”, 192866 &
(Right) Tag from “Congress Hall Blue Bird Fair”, 192967

On Thursday 28 August 1930, Port Augusta Corps, South Australia held an “Iceland Poppy
Fair” at their citadel. This had become an annual event to raise funds for the Self-Denial Appeal. That
year the fair was opened by the Mayor Mr. K. H. Hunter. Stalls sold items that included produce,
jumble, sweets, cakes, and refreshments.68

Button from Salvation Army “28th Augusta Iceland Poppy Fair”, Port Augusta, 193069
As with Adelaide Congress Hall, Port Augusta Corps changed the theme of its fair from
“Iceland Poppy Fair” to “Orange and Lemon Fair”. This latter fair was held on 9 and 10 September
1931.70 As with the Congress Hall fair, it is not clear why the name of the fair was changed as many
elements were similar to the fair held in 1930; the finances were again being raised for the Self-Denial

66 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.; “Advertising”, The Sunraysia daily, (18 August 1928), 6.
67 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
68 “Port Augusta busy next week”, Transcontinental, (22 August 1930), 1.; “The Iceland Poppy fair”, Transcontinental,
(29 August 1930), 1.
69 “Early Salvation Army ‘Jubilee’, ‘Augusta’, ‘Fair’ Tinnie Type Badges - S.A.?,
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/284588867949, accessed 17 February 2022.
70 “News and notes”, Transcontinental, (19 July 1931), 2.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 115

Appeal, the fair was opened by the Mayor Mr. K. H. Hunter, and Iceland Poppies were on display.71
It may just have been the case that ‘Orange and Lemon Fairs’ had become popular in the 1930s.72

Button and advertising for the Army’s “Orange & Lemon Fair”, Port Augusta, 193173
An example of different themes for different years yet again can be seen on the buttons of Kent
Town Boys’ Home, South Australia. On 26, 28 and 29 August 1933, The Salvation Army Kent Town
held a “Daffodil Fair” and as with other corps sold a button as an entry ticket.74 The following year
the corps again held a fair, this time themed “Rainbow Fair”. While little more than an advertisement
of the 1933 fair could be located, the 1934 event received reports in the local paper. The program of
events ran on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday; 18, 20, and 21 August and was opened by Brigadier-
General Stanley Price Weir, the commander of the 10th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Forces at
Gallipoli and the battles of Poziêres and Mouquet Farm in France during World War One. The fair
was held in the citadel and performances were given by Prospect Salvation Army Band. Monday
afternoon was set as “a women’s afternoon”. As with the previous examples no indications were
given as to why the name of the fair was changed.75

Kent Town Boys’ Home button and advertisement for “Daffodil Fair”, 193376

71 “Orange and lemon fair”, Transcontinental, (11 September 1931), 1.
72 See for example “Orange and lemon fair”, Norther star, (16 September 1931), 6.; “Orange and lemon”, Queensland
times, (20 September 1934), 4; “Salvation Army orange and lemon fair”, Burra record, (22 August 1939), 1.
73 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.; “Advertising”, Transcontinental, (4 September 1931), 2.
74 “Advertising”, The advertiser, (26 August 1933), 6.
75 “Advertising”, The advertiser, (16 August 1934), 7.; “Before the public”, News, (17 August 1934), 5.; “Fairs for
Salvation Army funds”, News, (18 August 1934), 2.
76 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.; “Advertising”, The advertiser, (26 August 1933), 6.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 116

Kent Town Boys’ Home button and advertisement for “Rainbow Fair”, 193477

Information on individual corps’ and social services’ fairs were often difficult to locate. There
were examples in this research where written sources indicated a button was used as a ticket of entry;
however, the artefact could not be located. In a similar matter, there were times when an artefact
stands on its own, with no written source to explain its existence. Three examples are given here. This
shows that more research can be done in this area, both to identify buttons used with fairs and the
history of their usage.

Button of the Brunswick Victor Harbor “Spring Fair” Tag, place and year
“Spring Fair”, Year unknown78 192379 unknown80

Self-Denial Button Days

Before the first official Australian Red Shield Appeal doorknock campaign, The Salvation Army
gathered funds for its social services with a “Self Denial Appeal”. Uniformed officers and soldiers

would collect funds night after night as part of a three-month appeal to secure money to help with the
continued and costly work first implemented by William Booth in 1886.81 To add to this fundraising
was the sale of buttons, and “Self Denial Appeal Button Days” were organised. Self-Denial Button

77 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.; “Advertising”, The advertiser, (16 August 1934), 7.
78 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
79 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
80 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
81 “Introduction to Self Denial 2022”, Self Denial Appeal 2022, https://www.selfdenial.info/au/, accessed 20 February
2022.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 117

Days were held by Salvationists in Australia as early as 1919.82 This continued until the first “Red
Shield Appeal” in 1965 when the Self-Denial Button Day ceased.83

In Australia from 1965, the Red Shield Appeal raised funds for the Army’s social work with a
clear focus on fundraising efforts external to the Army. As will be shown later, few Button Days were
organised for this appeal. At the same time, the Self-Denial Appeal changed to an internal fundraising
appeal and went to raise funds for The Salvation Army missionary work.84 During this time, now
traditionally parallel to the time other churches celebrate Lent, Salvationists and friends are
encouraged to sacrifice a portion of what they earn/have to help overseas work of the Army. The
general public are no longer asked to subscribe to the Self-Denial Appeal.

It was difficult to define and describe the Self-Denial buttons and to indicate what year they
were used by The Salvation Army. In addition to this, buttons that were sold under the auspices of
other titles went to assist the funds of the Self-Denial Appeal. Buttons and fundraising for Self-Denial
Appeal were also linked with fairs and appreciation days.85 The events associated with raising funds
for Self-Denial Appeals were often organised by corps; Salvationists would stand for many hours
selling the buttons.86 Self-Denial Button Days sold in amounts of up to 1000 buttons at 1/- each.

Examples of Self-Denial buttons and tag87

82 “Self-Denial notes”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 30 August 1919), 7.
83 Anon, The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal doorknock, 40th anniversary 1965 – 2005, Studylib,
https://studylib.net/doc/8600922, accessed 20 February 2022.
84 The name changed from Self-Denial to OWSOMS (One Week’s Salary on Missionary Service or Sunday) back to
Self-Denial.
85 “Austral fair”, The Casino and Kyogle courier and North Coast advertiser, (19 September 1917), 2.; “Salvation
Army”, Transcontinental, (20 September 1918), 2.; “Salvation Army”, The examiner, (17 September 1935), 6.
86 See for example “Selling buttons”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 2 November 1963), 7.
87 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.

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There was evidence that Self-Denial Button Days were held in Sydney in 1929.88 However,
Brigadier Muriel Booth-Tucker from North Sydney Division gave details in The war cry that 20 years
later, in 1949, the first Self-Denial Button Day in North Sydney Division was held at Cremorne.89
Statements like this need deeper investigation. When and where buttons for Self-Denial Appeal were
first sold may well be lost, yet the selling of buttons for this effort became somewhat romanticised.
In 1957, an editorial comment in The war cry stated

Salvationists armed with collecting boxes and badges have, during the past few months, been
invading the cities of Australia in the interest of the Army’s nation-wide Self Denial Appeal.

At many vantage points in the human stream flowing through the city streets familiar blue
bonnets, framing the radiant faces of uniformed lassies, and the less distinctive caps and tunics of
the men have been seen, their wearers busy soliciting funds to help in maintaining and extending
the Army’s global warfare.90

In the 1980s and 1990s, when the Self-Denial Appeal focused on overseas work of The
Salvation Army and became an ‘in-house’ appeal, fundraising stickers were introduced for children
to collect. These however fall outside the scope of this research and the investigation of these will be
left to another.

Self-Denial and Appreciation Days

There is evidence in the sources to show that some ‘Appreciation Day’ buttons were linked to Self-
Denial. As early as 1929, Commandant Smartt of Sydney Congress Hall “launched an ambitious
scheme, by which he hopes to dispose of ten thousand buttons for Self-Denial. The undertaking, [was]
under the designation of Appreciation Day…”91 Later that year, a report on the event stated,

Happy, smiling faces of Salvation Army women officers, nurses and cadets, added a bright touch
to the Sydney streets on Saturday Sept. 21 [1929], when Appreciation Day was observed in the
interest of Self Denial effort. The Button Day was organized by Commandant Smartt, of Sydney
Congress Hall and among the helpers was Mrs Colonel Carpenter [later Mrs General Carpenter].92

Example of a button with a link to Self-Denial and Appreciation Days, Unknown Date93

88 “Appreciation Day”, The war cry, (Sydney, 5 October 1929), 8.
89 The war cry, (Melbourne, 6 August 1949), 4.
90 The war cry, (Melbourne, 28 September 1957), 2.
91 “From the Eastern Territory”, The war cry, (21 September 1929), 10.
92 “Appreciation Day”, The war cry, (Sydney, 5 October 1929), 8.
93 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 119

“DIGGER” AND “LASSIE” SELLING ICE CREAM FOR THE CAUSE.

COMMISSIONER HAY (ON RIGHT)
SUPERINTENDS THE COLLECTIONS IN

THE MELBOURNE STREETS.

Images from the Button Day in aid of The Salvation Army, 1919 94

94 “Button Day in aid of Salvation Army welfare work”, Weekly times, (27 December 1919), 33.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 120

Appreciation Days
The Salvation Army held Appreciation Day Button Days for a number of reasons; collecting money
for their continuing work, whether hospitals, corps at home or overseas, or Self-Denial.95 The giving
and receiving of an appreciation button was a way for the public to show their appreciation for the
work the Army was doing, as well as a small memento of thanks the Army gave for the gift given.
Appreciation Days were held annually and throughout Australia. The days were authorised by the
commissioners of the territories.96 The Salvation Army and newspapers believed that,

Appreciation Days gives the public a chance to show its appreciation of the work done by the
organisation including its work among the troops.97
Very few Appreciation Day buttons had a monetary value printed on them, so they could be
given to all supporters. The variety is large, however as very few were described in sources it is
difficult to identify when and where they were sold.

95 For example, one Appreciation Day benefitted The Salvation Army Barrington Home for Boys (1946- 1981), Maylands
Home for Girls (1945 – 1981), and Elim Maternity Hospital (1897 – 1973). “Salvation Army Button Day”, The mercury,
(8 April 1954), 20.; “Salvation Army Button Day”, The mercury, (8 April 1954), 20.
96 “Army’s Appreciation Day”, The Horsham times, (25 September 1931), 2.
97 “Salvation Army Button Day”, The mercury, (8 April 1954), 20.

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Examples of Appreciation Day buttons98
One date of an Appreciation Day button has been identified, although no example of the artefact
could be located. A War cry of June 1949 gave information of the button,
A bright, attractive three-coloured Self-Denial button has been struck by the Divisional
Commander of the Melbourne Metropolitan Division for use on Street Days.

The button shows the heads of two smiling, full-uniformed Salvationists in the centre, with
“Appreciation” written on the top, and “The Salvation Army” appearing at the base…99
Salvation Army Appeal Days

Similar to Appreciation Days, Salvation Army Appeal Days were often linked with the Self-Denial
Appeal. Also like the Appreciation Day, it was difficult to identify when and where these buttons
were used. The term Salvation Army Appeal or SA Appeal were used in connection with Button Days
from the 1920s to the 1950s.100 There were many different designs of Salvation Army Appeal buttons.
Button backgrounds had assorted colours and designs. Some buttons displayed the monetary values,
while others were left plain and could be given for any donation. There were designs that also
appeared in two sizes; 2½cm and 2cm in diameter. At first glance it appeared these were given for
different amounts of money donated. However, some buttons made in two sizes had the same cost
price printed on them.

98 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.; Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
99 “Buttons!” The war cry, (Melbourne, 25 June 1949), 3.
100 See for example “Button Day”, Goulburn evening penny post, (7 October 1922), 2.; “Salvation Army Appeal”,
Advocate, (20 October 1932), 8.; “Button Day for Salvation Army Appeal”, Shepparton advertiser, (13 September
1949), 1.; “Salvation Army Appeal”, Examiner, (9 April 1954), 19.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 122

Examples of Salvation Army Appeal buttons101

Red Shield Appeal and Button Days

No official buttons could be identified as specially produced for the Red Shield Appeal after 1965,
nor did The war cry report on many button days held especially to raise money for the Red Shield
Appeal. This appeal was to focus on doorknocking residential areas rather than static collections in
major cities. There were however exceptions and buttons in connection with the Red Shield Appeal
have appeared from time to time.

Coorparoo Corps, Queensland held a Red Shield Appeal Button Day in 1965. There was
however no indication of what this button looked like.102 As late as 1973, a Button Day was held for
the Red Shield Appeal in Kalgoorlie and Boulder, Western Australia, yet again no discussion on the
design were given.103 Buttons from Salvation Army Appeal Days or Appreciation Days could have
been used for sales under the new title and before the Red Shield Appeal was fully organised.

101 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
102 “Appeal success”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 29 July 1967), 8.
103 The war cry, (Melbourne, 9 June 1973), 4.

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Larger buttons and tags were given to the volunteers to wear as identification when they were
collecting from door to door. One such button was sponsored by Westpac Bank. The button was given
to the volunteer collectors both as a way of advertising for the appeal and to identify the collectors.
At the same time, caps were also made and distributed to volunteer collectors bearing both the Red
Shield Appeal and Westpac logos.

Red Shield Appeal and Westpac Bank advertising button104
As with the Self-Denial Appeal, the Red Shield Appeal moved to stickers. Rather than the
stickers being a memento to give to the doners they have been used for advertising and identification
of the volunteer collectors. As with the Self-Denial Appeal stickers and items used for volunteer
collectors fall outside the parameters of this research; however several are given here by way of
example.

Early tag and button worn by volunteer collectors105

Example of volunteer collector’s stickers from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s106

104 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
105 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
106 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 124

Advertising button for Red Shield Appeal Early example of sticker to
Debbie Mayday with timbrel, c1990s107 encourage support108

Buttons for bands and building funds

Robert Schramm believed that brass bands have always been an “excellent means of drawing
attention for fundraising and publicity.” Nothing fills a collecting box or sells buttons faster than a
brass band’s participation. Yet, The Salvation Army brass bands also raised awareness of The
Salvation Army and its mission. Schramm wrote, “The primary purpose of all Salvation Army bands
is to serve as an instrument to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”109

As bands became more appreciated and accepted, raising funds was very necessary to continue

their evangelistic work within The Salvation Army. In 1906, Casino Corps, NSW commenced a brass

band and most players provided their own instruments. The band was to be used for Self-Denial
fundraising; however, funds were also needed to purchase more instruments.110

Salvation Army bands used a variety of ways to raise funds. In 1908, Toowoomba Corps band
held a tea meeting and concert to purchase instruments.111 In 1918, Launceston Corps band, Tasmania
received funds from the lord mayor.112 Other corps bands, such as Mildura, Dubbo, and Lithgow
organised band festivals to raise money for instruments.113 Buttons and Button Days were also

important to raise money for Army brass bands and were organised for that purpose.

In 1926, The Salvation Army in Brisbane linked the idea of selling buttons with the entrance

ticket to a fair. It came up with the idea of selling a button as an admission tick to a band concert. The

war cry report stated,

Ensign Runcorn (Brisbane) passes on a suggestion for a Band “go”. “Substitute souvenir button
for admission ticket” he says, “The design used for the recent band festival included a miniature
reproduction of the band, with date of festival and brief particulars”. It was a welcome innovation
that helped to make the effort a success. 114

107 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
108 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.
109 Robert D. Schramm, “Purpose of Salvation Army bands”, The Brass Crest, (1999 – 2022), ¶1,4,

https://brasscrest.com/bas02.html, accessed 20 February 2022.
110 “Salvation Army”, The Richmond River express and Casion Kyogle advertiser, (21 September 1906), 4.
111 “Salvation Army brass band”, Darling Downs gazette, (1 April 1908), 5.
112 “Band funds”, Examiner, (10 December 1918), 6.
113 “Salvation Army band”, Sunraysia daily, (17 November 1928), 2.; “Salvation Army band”, Dubbo dispatch and
Wellington independent, (7 December 1923), 6.; “Salvation Army band festival”, Lithgow mercury, (12 April 1911), 2.
114 “Mainly personal”, The war cry, (Sydney, 9 January 1926), 9.

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Salvation Army bands also held Button Days to raise funds for instruments. Newcastle Corps
band had at least two buttons made. One report of a Button Day appealed to the public and outlined
the civic work of the band. The report stated:

The Salvation Army will hold a button day tomorrow to raise funds for the Newcastle Citadel
Band.

The band contributes to the musical life of the city by playing at civic functions, beaches,
hospitals and other places. Button sellers will be stationed at strategic spots in the city. This will
be the first time The Salvation Army has held a button day to raise funds for the Newcastle
band.115
In the same year, 1954, another corps band in Newcastle, from the Mayfield Corps, also organised a
Button Day,
Mayfield Salvation Army band will hold a button day in the city tomorrow to assist its £1000
appeal for new instruments.116
As with other buttons, the location and information on these fundraising activities were not easily
located. Also, like other buttons developed by Salvationists, the one made to raise funds for brass
bands came in a variety of designs.

Example of buttons to raise funds for Salvation Army brass bands117
There are examples that buttons were also produced for Salvation Army building funds.
Hillcrest hospital has previously been listed as one Army building fund that benefited from button
selling, yet there are another examples. Inverell Corps, NSW sold buttons as a ticket to a Christmas

115 “Salvation Army Button Day”, The Newcastle sun, (21 January 1954), 19.
116 “Salvation Army Button Day”, The Newcastle sun, (14 October, 1954), 12.
117 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 126

concert with the proceeds going to the building of a new hall.118 Newcastle Corps, NSW sold buttons
to raise funds for the building, extension, or refurbishment of its Citadel. Unfortunately, no
information could be located on when this button was used.

Newcastle Citadel, Date Unkown119

Harvest Festival buttons

Harvest Festival buttons were sold to raise money for the annual appeals. One example was at
Adelaide Congress Hall when Adjutant Leggett reported,

Sergeant Reginald Smart, who keeps the Hall supplied with flowers, is doing well in selling
badges for the forth coming Harvest Festival.120

In a similar manner, Lismore Corps, NSW sold buttons in connection with the Harvest Festival. A
report in the local newspaper stated,

Produce used for the Salvation Army’s Harvest Festival services tomorrow will be sold at the
street stall on Molesworth Street on Tuesday. Snr Major H. Woodland said yesterday that the stall
was the annual appeal and buttons would be sold.121

It appeared that these appeals were localised and aided in the finances of the local corps’ ministry.

Examples of Salvation Army Harvest Festival buttons122

118 “Salvation Army field night”, The Inverell times, (15 December 1950), 8.
119 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
120 “Forward with the flag”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 17 March 1934), 13.
121 “Salvation Army harvest fest”, Northern star, (14 February 1953), 4.
122 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 127

Christmas Appeal buttons

The Salvation Army provided dinners, hampers, meals, and gifts for families and individuals in need
during the Christmas period.123 Money and goods were needed to be raised to finance this area of
social work. Donations were being received by The Salvation Army around Christmas so authorities
in the Army urged that a Christmas Appeal be adopted. Taylor showed that a red “Xmas Appeal”
button and a Christmas tree button were produced and sold around the 1960s.124 No additional
information could be located on these buttons.

Examples of Salvation Army Christmas Appeal buttons from the 1960s125

In a similar manner there are written sources about Christmas buttons without evidence of the
artefacts. Although the artefacts were not located, part of the Christmas Appeal saw Salvationists
again selling buttons. In 1922, Christmas buttons were sold by the Army in Maryborough,
Queensland as a fundraiser. People were encouraged to purchase these as a souvenir. A newspaper
stated,

… The local corps will be busy on the street, collecting and selling badges. Those desiring a
souvenir for Christmas will do well to purchase a badge, the same being of unusual design.126
In 1929, the ‘Christmas Cheer Appeal” in Hobart included the sales of a button.127 The 1950s
saw a ‘Father Adelaide Christmas annual button day appeal’ in South Australia which was held to
raise funds for children’s charities. A portion of the money collected for the Father Adelaide
Christmas appeal went to the Army’s Kent Town Boys’ Home.128
In 1988, Westfield Shopping centres joined with The Salvation Army for The Salvation Army
Christmas food appeal. It was a nation-wide appeal that assisted with the food parcels the Army
distributed.129 Special bins to collect the food donations were placed in Westfield centres and a special
advertising button was made.

123 See for example, “Salvation Army Christmas treat”, The argus, (22 December 1905), 7.; “Christmas appeals”, The
argus, (7 December 1929), 22.
124 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
125 Taylor, Australia’s fundraising buttons.
126 “The Salvation Army”, The Maryborough chronicles, Wide Bay and Burnett advertiser, (15 December 1922), 4.
127 “Salvation Army”, The mercury, (9 November 1929), 15.
128 “Xmas appeal button day raised £730”, The news, (10 December 1952), 26.
129 “Westfield helps out Salvos”, The Canberra times, (26 November 1988), 6.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 128

Westfield ‘Give a million cans for Christmas’ for
The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, 1988130
This research found The Salvation Army and partner organisations used buttons as a way of
promoting the Army’s work and collecting funds. There were a variety of buttons developed and sold
to raise funds for many themes including for bands, buildings, corps work, and social services. There
were overlapping reasons for buttons to be sold. For example, to raise funds for the Self-Denial
Appeal, buttons sporting the terms Appreciation Day, fairs, Salvation Army Appeal, SA Appeal, and
Self-Denial were used. There are also some patterns of themes for fairs used by the Army. This could
be a future research topic, especially to investigate if social changes impacted these themes. There
are many gaps in the collection of artefacts and sources which deeper future research may uncover
more of the missing elements.
The future papers will investigate other key elements of The Salvation Army’s use of buttons.
These areas will include the Army’s use of its cadets in the training college to sell buttons and how
other Salvationists and groups assisted in the selling of buttons for the Army. The materials of which
the buttons were made will be discussed to show how the buttons developed over time. Stories of
buttons as evangelical witness will also be unpacked along with other ways the Army used buttons.
It is clear the history of The Salvation Army buttons is a long and interconnected story.

130 Garth Hentzschel’s private collection.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 129

A MEMOIR OF LYNDON HOUSE
A SALVATION ARMY HOME FOR GIRLS

Shirley MacKenzie-Thurley

Editorial introduction

The Australasian journal of Salvation Army history aims to bring to its readers insight into the history
of The Salvation Army, mainly through research. But from time-to-time other types of papers are
included to introduce different genres, sources, and perspectives. Following is an historical memoir.
It is hoped this document will bring to light a new source for historical investigation, to “tell the
subject’s own story”, and to “document the story of the author’s time”.1

As an historic context, Lyndon House was a Salvation Army home for children, situated at 31
Blatchford Street, Canowindra, New South Wales, Australia. The house was originally built in the
1920s by Andrew Purcell, who made his money in the crop, lucerne and so named the home
‘Lucerne’.2 The Great Depression meant that Purcell saw financial ruin and when he moved to Sydney
in 1933, he sold his property. Some time later, The Salvation Army purchased the house.3

During World War Two,4 girls from the Army’s two homes in Sydney (the Nest at Arncliffe,
and the Fold at Marrickville), were evacuated to this location to move them away from possible harm
if Sydney was attacked. At this early stage, two boys were also relocated to the home from Bethesda
Maternity Hospital. The home was in operation prior to its official opening on Wednesday 7 October
1942 by Lieutenant-Colonel Harewood. The home was named in honour of General George Lyndon
Carpenter.5

After the war Lyndon House, also known as Canowindra Girls’ Home, continued operating and
the author of this memoir lived at the home in the 1950s.

My name is Shirley MacKenzie-Thurley (nee Boyd). I was fortunate to live at Lyndon House
Salvation Army Home for Girls in Canowindra, New South Wales, Australia from March 1952 until
January 1958.

For as long as I could remember I always wanted to be a nurse, I knew there had to be a better
life out there and I wanted to be able to learn. I knew if I remained at home none of that would happen.

Reference citation of this paper; Shirley MacKenzie-Thurley, “A memoir of Lyndon House, A Salvation Army
home for girls.” The Australasian journal of Salvation Army history, 7, 1, 2022, 130 – 138.
1 Chang Woo Jung, “Memoirs as historical sources, (Korean Minjok Leadership Academy, international program,
Seminar History of Historiography, December 2010), ¶ 16, https://www.zum.de/whkmla/sp/1112/jcw/jcw1.html
accessed 18 July 2021.
2 Melanie Pearce”, “Roses and rehab at Lyndon House Canowindra: Three decades of drug and alcohol rehabilitation”,
ABC, (5 November 2015), https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-05/roses-and-rehab-at-lyndon-house-
canowindra/6914626.
3 “Personal”, The leader, (Orange, 18 December 1939), 2.; “Legal notices”, Tbe Sydney morning herald, (31 August
1933), 17.
4 The CLAN website placed this in 1941. CLAN, “Lyndon House Girls Home”, (n.d.),
https://clan.org.au/orphanages/lyndon-house-girls-home/, accessed 30 December 2021.
5 “Personal intelligence, Eastern Territory”, The war cry, (Melbourne, 3 October 1942), 4.; “Lyndon House”, The war
cry, (Melbourne, 24 October 1942), 5.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 130

At 11 years of age, I went to the Gilgandra Police station and asked if they could arrange for
me to go to a Salvation Army Children’s Home. As there was no Salvation Army there and the police
were aware of my circumstances, they arranged with the local bootmaker Mr. Garbutt, a member of
the Seventh Day Adventist Church, to facilitate it.

My home life was very dysfunctional, my stepfather was in and out of jail and an abuser. When
he was not in jail, we were in the bush clearing land, I worked, not going to school and we lived in a
tent. If I was naughty, he would threaten to send me to a Salvation Army girls’ home. One may ask
why then would I ask to go there? By coincidence I had been Dedicated in The Salvation Army when
my mother was living at The Salvation Army Women’s Hostel in Elizabeth St, Sydney.

On 3 March 1952, I boarded a train on my own to travel to Dubbo (46km south) where Captain
T. A. Evans and a friend met me and drove me to Canowindra (another 178km south). We arrived at
approximately 8.30 pm. Matron Captain Jean Geddes met us at the front gate.

My bed was in the Green Dorm with five other girls. To this day every time I get into clean
sheets, I remember that night. It was sheer luxury. The other girls were rather shocked when they saw
I was not wearing a singlet (vest undershirt).

Next morning, I went to the local public school, walking with Marlene Mills and a few other
girls. On the way along Tilga Street across from the corner shop, one of the girls walking with us was
snatched and bundled into a waiting taxi by her father. Marlene hit him with her satchel, then everyone
turned around and ran home.6

When I did get to school, I was placed in 6th class. Mr. Alan Daley Sr., a World War II veteran,
was my teacher.

In Gilgandra, the previous Friday, no one at the school wanted to be friends with me and I
certainly would not have been invited to anyone’s home. I had never had any friends except the two
Greek girls who worked in the Greek cafe who sometimes gave me food. A young policeman and his
wife were very kind to me. They bought me a pair of patent leather shoes and a few articles of clothing
before I left town.

On Tuesday, when I arrived at Canowindra District Rural School, all the kids in the class were
nice and friendly towards me. Lynley Shields was leaving on Friday, I was given her money for a gift
in a four-square tobacco tin and asked to mind it for the weekend. I was the same person from the
Friday before, who had been put through windows so houses could be robbed, but now I was a Lyndon
House Girl. Words could never adequately explain how that made me feel. The top of the tobacco tin
is also engraved on my memory.

6 Editorial note – Reports of this abduction appeared in national newspapers as far away as Adelaide, South Australia.
The young girl was Joyce Harrison, who was taken by her father, Frederick Fisher who had escaped from the
Gladesville Asylum. “Abducted by father?”, The news, (Adelaide, 7 March 1952), 10.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 131

Orange Bathurst
* *

Canowindra
*

New South Wales
Australia

Map showing location of Canowindra7

We were always very well dressed. When I arrived, I was fitted with new underwear, an upgrade
from my underpants that had been made from flour bags that still had the print on them. I was given
a school uniform, Sunday best dress and play clothes that were better than anything I had ever owned.

There were ‘big girls’, ‘middle size girls’, ‘little girls’, and ‘babies’. This was determined by
age, not size. We each had a job to do before school which changed each month. I didn’t like being
assigned to the office and matron’s bedroom as there was too much dusting, e.g. rungs on the chairs
and the dressing table. Each ‘big girl’ had a ‘little girl’ to “look after”, that involved taking her to and
from school and cleaning her school shoes each day. We cleaned her school uniform at the end of the
week. My ‘little girl’ was Shirley Richards, who was five years younger than me.

At church, during prayer, I would half open my eyes and look around at the other girls and
wonder if I looked as good as them. I was so anxious to have the opportunity to wear the lovely outfit
that included a very smart hat, I went to Matron Geddes and petitioned for ‘middle size girls’ to be
able to also attend church on Sunday evening.

If you had long hair the officers would put it in rags so you would have ringlet curls for Sunday.
We did have some sets, the same outfits. They were age related, fashionable, and very good quality.

On Anzac Day we attended the march and service where we wore our new winter coats.
We Lyndon House girls were the first ones in our class to have Baby Louis Heels and sheer
nylon stockings. They were seconds from The Salvation Army Headquarters jumble room, so they
often had a ladder (run). However, because they were so sheer you couldn’t see it.
We were also very much a part of the school activities playing major roles in music, sports,
athletics, and leadership. I and other girls became school captains and prefects.
If naughty, we would be disciplined. It was usually scrubbing the box room or the back
verandah. It would mostly be a group punishment which meant we would count out the boards or
tiles and divide them up. We would usually end up singing. When older, you might have to miss out
on an outing. Like the time I cleaned out the medicine chest and used a caustic (Silver Nitrate) pencil
to give several girls a ‘beauty spot’. If you kept talking when asked to be silent at the end of a meal,

7 Map developed from Google maps.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 132

you would have to do the washing up. Matron Dora Henry advised the man I was engaged to, he
would always have clean dishes as I was a “good washer upper”.

Sometimes when a new girl arrived, especially if they had been in another institution, they
would start to plan to run away. At one time Matron announced during a meal, “I’ve heard someone
is thinking of running away so please make sure you get some sandwiches to take with you as we
can’t have people saying Lyndon House girls are travelling without food.” When two girls did run
away and were given a lift back by a local farmer, they were not punished. We were told the new girl
needed extra help and kindness.

One night, after 9.00 pm lights out, when Matron thought I was the ringleader in encouraging
the other girls in the dormitory to make a noise by slapping our tummies so the new officer Lieutenant
Higgins would have to come in several times to ask us to settle down, Matron came and got us all up
and had us stand in a corner. I had to stand in the corner of the office where Matron was working and
the other two officers were sitting darning socks. In front of me was a huge arrangement of Iceland
Poppies.

After a short time, the other seven girls were sent back to bed, I, however, had started to tear
each poppy petal into thin strips. Earlier the two officers had also gone to bed. When I finished
destroying every poppy petal, Matron said “Thank goodness you have finished, Shirl, now we can go
to bed.”

That had a profound influence on me. I went to bed thinking about how selfish I had been and
the next day apologised to Lieutenant Higgins and I encouraged the other girls to help her settle in.

Coming from my background the only way of dealing with problems was physical. However,
at both Lyndon House and from my teacher of two years, Mr. Alan Daley, I learned about gentle
kindness. I can’t ever remember being told I was wicked. I was told, “Shirley Boyd, I can’t believe
you did that as you are a good girl”. After a while, you start believing you are good.

We had a number, mine was 32. However, it was only used for a place to hang our towel and
on our school lunch bag. Our clothes all had a name tag sewed in. I was “Shirley B”, as there was
also a “Shirley R”, and “Shirley P”.

Behaving as a ‘young lady’ was very important in manners, behaviour, and speech. One of the
girls who left, and whose sister got her a job in a factory only lasted a week as she was told she was
too posh (fancy). She eventually became an accountant.

For meals we had a starched white serviette (table napkin). Our school lunches were wrapped
in them and then put into a handmade plastic bag. I still have mine. It has rick rack braid on it.

Each school morning two girls and an officer were on “GET UP” duties, to prepare breakfast
and make the school lunches. Mondays were a favourite day as you could make yourself a couple of
extra ‘mushy pea’ sandwiches that you could swap with other children at school. The mushy peas
were left over from Sunday lunch. Other girls at school loved our mushy pea sandwiches. The mushy
pea sandwiches were so popular, you kept a list of friends’ names who wanting to swap in the lid of
your school port (school bag). You would work your way through the list so no one would miss out.
For lunch we also had a piece of cake and a piece of fruit from the home’s kitchen. If there was a
tomato in the lunch box, it included a small pack of salt to sprinkle over the tomato.

Food was very good and wholesome. We even had fresh cream at breakfast. Crusts were so
popular we had to take turns. If you were hungry between meals you could have fresh crust.

Before going to Lyndon House, bread and dripping was often all I would have to eat. Oddly, I
still liked it and with syrup. I was discouraged from eating it as Matron said, “We don’t want people
saying the girls in the home have to eat bread and dripping.”

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 133

Local farmers were very generous and would donate fresh fruit and vegetables. We also had
large gardens and lots of grape vines. Mr. Billy Moore was our gardener. When local boys came and
stood on their bikes to steal the grapes from over the back fence, we girls gathered rocks to throw at
them. We were reprimanded, as it was not “lady like”. Lieutenant Marjorie Brown had a garden where
she grew radishes and other veggies. We would do all sorts of jobs for one of her radishes.

Shortly after I arrived at Lyndon House, we acquired a cow. I volunteered to milk the cow. I
had never milked a cow before; however, I had seen it done. I used to study science with the book on
my knee while I milked. I often let girls watch me milk as a bargaining tool. I’ve no idea now what
the bargains were. One Christmas I received a school port (school bag) from the cow. Clearly,
someone had gifted the port (bag) to me, but the gift card stated it was from the cow.

During the Queen’s visit to Australia in February 1954, Canowindra District Rural School
children had to take a train to Bathurst (about 104km east). Earlier I had taken the cow up to her
grazing paddock and on the way to the station I walked through a muddy patch. So, on the way to
Bathurst, all the kids in my carriage took turns at waving my white socks out the train window to dry
them.

On arrival in Bathurst, we walked to the show ground to join hundreds of other children to cheer
the Queen and Duke standing in the open Land-Rover as they passed. On the way home, a little girl,
Annette Sorrinson, cried most the way because she didn’t see ‘The Queen’. She didn’t have a crown
like Annette had seen on the Coronation newsreel.

Our dog was called ‘Smokey The Dog’. He only came into the house when there was great
excitement noise coming from the dining room. He would come in and race around all the tables.
When there was a storm he would come and lay under someone’s bed, usually in the Blue Dorm. He
usually slept in Mr. Moore’s garden shed.

When girls were playing hide and seek, little girls would often go to an officer and complain
that Smokey The Dog was cheating. He would go and stand near the place a girl was hiding. When a
girl arrived with her cat, also called Smokey, it had to be called ‘Smokey The Cat’.

In my time, one of the many kind donations made to Lyndon House was a Shetland Pony called
Minty. His official name was Mintometry of Shetland Heights. Minty was great with the girls. He
would often walk around the back yard with three or four little girls on his back.

When a new girl arrived at Lyndon House, she would be introduced to the ‘other animals’: the
Donkey (water heater) and the Lions (clothes lines).

One day a group of girls came running up to tell there was a “turkey in the chook (chicken)
pen”. “Stop telling fibs,” was the response from the other girls, but Matron went with them and sure
enough, there was a turkey in the chook pen. A nurse from the hospital, whose daughter was in day
care at the home, had bought the turkey as a chick. When it got near Christmas, they couldn’t bear to
kill it, so she put it in the Lyndon House chook pen. Earlier, because I had seen it but never done it, I
had volunteered to kill and pluck chooks for Christmas, so I volunteered to take on the turkey.

There were several local Canowindra citizens who were very much a part of the Lyndon House
family. Harold and Glad Townsend were always there to help the officers in all sorts of ways. Before
my time, Harold’s brothers were helpful friends of Lyndon House. In 1942, his brother Fred was
involved in the acquisition of the house for use as a children’s home.

Mr. Harry Southwell (Uncle Harry) and his wife Auntie Ruby were very generous with both
their time and money.

We would go out to Ken and Alice Nash’s farm for BBQ’s during the school holidays.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 134

Of course, there were many others who helped in many ways that I was not privy to; however,
they were invited to an evening of entertainment that we gave at the end of the year.

Mrs. Slattery was our hairdresser. Later, I discovered she was a go between for Matron Henry
and the Nuns at St Edmond’s convent, exchanging ideas on crafts.

A daughter of the Dietrich family had a skin problem and needed to go to Sydney for medical
treatment. During that time, her sisters and twin baby brothers would often stay at Lyndon House.
The twins were our first boys. I had a holiday job at the Dietrich farm helping with the children. Mrs.
Dietrich was a great cook. Later, she very kindly made my wedding cake.

In my time at Lyndon House, The Salvation Army Corps officers were Major and Mrs. Fischle,
they had a son my age. Their many positive involvements in our lives are too many to mention. Mrs.
Fischle later decorated my wedding cake.

We had a timbrel brigade, and Mrs. Fischle introduced us to some quirky fun songs, especially
for the Harvest Festival programs we put on at the Burdett Hall. After the program, there was a supper
where the farmers would try to outbid each other for their best produce.

If you were open to it, there were many opportunities to learn lots of interesting skills from the
officers and staff. You could learn cooking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, bead work, floral arranging,
wreath making, cake decorating and gardening.

Mrs. Sloman, the cook, taught us crocheting and bead work. Lieutenant Sargent had been a
florist so we learned to make wreaths for local people. Matron Henry baked and decorated cakes for
the community.

The Lyndon House Gladioli and Garden Fete were community social events. If you were
interested, you could learn jam, chutney and relish making. Preserving was also very much a part of
life. Floor to ceiling cupboards were in the sewing room to store the preserves.

Christmas was very special. The Technical College of Orange (60km northeast) put on a party
for us girls and two Orange boys’ homes, Catholic and Protestant. The Rotary club always gave us a
lovely gift and I understand Canowindra folk helped to ensure we had full stockings. I received my
first doll and called her Zena Jean after the officers who had received farewell orders.

A few weeks before Christmas the senior girls would go to Eugowra (43km west) and Cudal
(35km north) with The Salvation Army band to sing carols and take up collections. We travelled
sitting on church pews in the back of a truck. Christmas Eve we sang in South Canowindra and
Christmas morning we sang in our town.

Every Christmas morning I was at Lyndon House, our large pillow case stockings would be
brimming full and in a different place. In the dining room at the bottom of a huge tree, there were
individual ribbons going up the tree with a ladder so we could find our names. The tree had not been
there the night before. We never did find out how ‘Santa’ got the massive tree inside.

Another year, stockings were hidden all over the place. It was like a treasure hunt. Santa also
took the trouble to peg (hang) all the stockings on the clothes lines in the laundry. Marlene Mills and
I could not find ours as they were hidden in the laundry basket.

Then one year after much searching, it looked like Santa had not come. We stood out in the
back yard with the little girls saying how good they had been. A few even started to cry, and then
Santa arrived in a ute full of Christmas stockings. Of course, it was our neighbour.

When you think back, you realise how hard the officers worked to make sure Christmas
morning was so special. After trying to get everyone off to sleep, we would then be up at 4:00 or 4:30
am. One year, Lieutenant Brown was up all hours in her bedroom making pretty underwear for the

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 135

little girls from a donation of a trousseau of early 1900s combinations. Earlier, the older girls dressed
in them for photos.

After a traditional Christmas lunch, hoping to find the sixpences in our pudding, we would have
a rest. Visitors would join us for tea and there was a real party atmosphere.

Kind folk would offer to take girls to their homes during the holidays. However, Matron Henry
didn’t let anyone go away until after Christmas Day. She said it was a family time and if you were
visiting you wouldn’t want to ask for extra pudding.

Birthdays were marked with parties and special cakes and goodies.
Every alternate year after Christmas we, along with the girls from The Salvation Army Arncliffe
Girl’s Home in Sydney, went to The Salvation Army’s Collaroy Beach Camp for four weeks. It was
while I was there that an officer took a small group of us into the city where we visited the Catholic
Cathedral and the Art Gallery. Beautiful architecture was pointed out to us. That experience opened
a gate for me into the world of art and architecture. We walked down to the beach to swim twice a
day and entertained each other.
Another time Matron booked a small house, in a collection of Salvation Army holiday cottages
in Blackheath, Blue Mountains. It was a great holiday sleeping on the floor or with more than one in
a bed. We would get up, make breakfast, sandwiches, and a pot of stew. Then we would go off for
the day hiking or swimming in the public pool in a lovely park. The next time, the head office insisted
that there be more than one cottage. However, it wasn’t so enjoyable.
On a day out to nearby Katoomba with girls meeting up along the main street, we realized no
one had seen Phillip, age three. At about two years old he arrived at Lyndon House with his four
sisters. Apart from the Dietrich twins, Phillip was the first Lyndon House boy. Everyone thought
Phillip was with the other group. So, we all went down to the police station to see Phillip sitting on
the counter eating ice cream. He had completely confused the policeman when asked about his family
because he had rattled off several girls’ names.
In her office, Matron Henry kept a large biscuit tin of costume jewellery that had been donated.
The preschool babies would spend time in the office with her playing with “the precious jewels”.
Later Phillip was adopted and when he left to live with his adoptive parents he asked if he could take
his new mother a “precious jewel”.
During other school holidays when not doing craft work such as making dolls clothes knitting
or beading while listening to radio serials like “When a girl marries,” and “Doctor Paul”, we would
go for hikes and picnics. When older I had a job at the Reed Smiths Department store.
It’s hard to find the words to describe Lyndon House’s impact on me. The actual beauty of the
building was matched by the wonderful care given us. Matron Henry once said, “Don’t tell me you
are a Christian, show me.” That was certainly on display by The Salvation Officers who cared for us.
They didn’t tell us, they showed us. I am so grateful for the years I spent at Lyndon House and the
influence those years had on my life.

Editorial conclusion

As outlined in the memoir, although Lyndon House commenced as a home for girls, it would later
open its doors to boys. The Salvation Army continued to operate Lyndon House until 1977.8 Elaine
Colgate, a psychiatric nurse, purchased the building and turned it into a place for people with

8 Find & Connect, “Canowindra Girls’ Home (1942 – 1977)”, (9 November 2021),
https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/nsw/NE00221

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 136

addictions. The not-for-profit ‘Lyndon Community’ for treating people with addictions was moved
to a larger centre in Orange and the house was closed in 2015.9

The property was purchased in 2016 and again turned into a private home.10 The current owners
are restoring the property, both house and gardens into its look from the 1920s and have reverted the
name back to ‘Lucerne.”11

In January 1958, the author of this memoir, Shirley MacKenzie-Thurley (nee Boyd), and one
of the other girls listed in the story, Marlene Mills, commenced General Nursing training at
Marrickville District Hospital, Sydney. Both women graduated as Registered Nurses in January 1962.
During this time, MacKenzie-Thurley met her father, two of her three brothers, and her sister for the
first time. Her siblings had been placed in foster care before she was born.

The Matron of Lyndon House listed in the story, “Mata” Brigadier Dora Henry had been
appointed to Brisbane, Queensland, so MacKenzie-Thurley went to stay with Henry. MacKenzie-
Thurley completed her 12 months training at The Brisbane Women’s Hospital to graduate as a
Midwife; graduating in January 1963.

Due to her skills, MacKenzie-Thurley received the rare honour of being invited back to the
Marrickville District Hospital. From Sydney, she received a position at the Cobar District Hospital in
far west New South Wales. MacKenzie-Thurley took a position at the Suva Hospital, Fiji and it was
here she met her future husband Duncan MacKenzie-Thurley from the UK.

MacKenzie-Thurley returned to Australia to nurse her sister Gwen during her final days. After
being a personal carer, MacKenzie-Thurley was approached by Colonel Olive Allitt to manage The
Salvation Army’s Booth House Nursing Home while the matron attended The Army’s Centennial
Congress in 1965, London, UK. This commenced MacKenzie-Thurley’s career in aged care.

Duncan and MacKenzie-Thurley were married by Major Alistair Cairns in 1962. Their son Ian
was dedicated at Dulwich Hill Salvation Army, soon after he was born in 1974. Allitt, who was then
appointed at the former Army’s Arncliffe girls home conducted the dedication. In 1979, the family
moved to Brisbane, Queensland.

Major and Mrs Cairns with Shirley and Duncan MacKenzie-Thurley, 196212

9 Pearce”, “Roses and rehab at Lyndon House Canowindra”.
10 “Lyndon House goes up for sale”, The Canowindra Phoenix, (20 January 2016),
https://www.canowindraphoenix.com.au/lyndon-house-goes-up-for-sale/ accessed 30 December 2021.
11 CLAN, “Lyndon House Girls Home”.
12 Photograph courtesy of Shirley MacKenzie-Thurley,

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 137

As Director of Nursing, MacKenzie-Thurley became passionate about improving aged care.
For her efforts she was given an Honorary Certification in Gerontology and lectured in universities
at state and national conferences. MacKenzie-Thurley became an advisor in aged care to the Minister
of Health at both the Australia Federal and State levels. At the age of 48, MacKenzie-Thurley
graduated from University with a BA in Nursing.

Duncan died in 1990, and at the age of 60 MacKenzie-Thurley retired as a Director of Nursing.
She however continued to work on the wards in Gladstone and Sydney hospitals and in 2002 traveled
to the UK for a short holiday. The short holiday turned into 16 years residency in the UK where
MacKenzie-Thurley worked with a private clinic and as a private district nurse until 2018. Shirley
MacKenzie-Thurley now lives in Hamilton, Ohio, USA, close to her son and his family.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 138

AJSAHistory
News

From the desk
of the Executive

Editor

Garth R. Hentzschel

There have been several items of news since the last issue of the journal that relate to Salvation
Army history and The Australasian journal of Salvation Army history.

The AJSAHistory welcomes a new peer reviewer

The journal would like to welcome a new peer reviewer to our team, Major Ron Millar of The
Salvation Army Canadian and Bermuda Territory. Millar has provided information on his ministry
and educational background. He has already made valued contributions in the preproduction phase
of this issue and will continue to assist in the future direction of the AJSAHistory.

Major Ron Millar at his computer on his desk
at the Territorial Archives, Canada1

Major Ron Millar

Major Ron Millar is a ‘son of the regiment’, born to Missionary Salvation Army Officer parents and
spent his first few years of schooling in Hong Kong. After returning to Canada, his parents, with Ron
and younger brother in tow, ministered in various appointments around the nation during which time

1 Photograph provided by Major Ron Millar.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 139

Ron went to nine schools over thirteen years. He eventually settled in Winnipeg where he met and
married his high-school sweetheart, Donna.

Following university, Ron entered the education field as a high school music and history
teacher. In 1976, Ron and Donna left their teaching professions and entered the training college in
Toronto as Cadets of the ‘Disciples of Jesus’ Session and were commissioned in 1978. They have
held a wide variety of appointments, serving in corps, divisional youth work, training college,
divisional leadership, leadership development, and territorial headquarters. Ron was also appointed
for a term as executive officer of the Canadian Staff Band.

Ron and Donna experienced the global Army having received appointments as corps officers
in Canada, Bermuda, and Brisbane City Temple, Australia, and training principal in both Toronto,
(Canada and Bermuda Territory) and Kingston, Jamaica (Caribbean Territory). Opportunities to
minister at officers’ retreats, youth and corps retreats, teacher and leadership training events, music
camp guests, and conference speakers have taken them around the world to such places as United
States, Mexico, Germany, Haiti, Trinidad, Tasmania, United Kingdom, and South Africa.

Ron Millar is a committed life-long learner, having earned a Bachelor of Arts (history major),
Bachelor of Education (history and music education), Master of Theological Studies (leadership and
mission), Master of Business Administration (not for profit leadership), and a graduate of the
Executive Leadership Development Program at Simon Fraser University. He was a delegate of both
the International College for Officers in London, England in 1993, and the International Training
Principal’s Conference in 2001.

Ron has always had a keen interest in history. It was his favourite subject in school. After
finishing university, he spent several years as a high school history teacher. He continued to pursue
this passion as an officer, teaching Salvation Army history and mission in various training college
appointments. Donna is also an avid student who loves Army history and doing research. Over the
years, she has written and produced “Old Army Nights” that feature real life testimonies of early day
Salvationists presented with authentic music and uniforms of the time. Scripted testimonies reflect
the unique, personalities, methods, passion, and boldness of Army pioneers around the world. In
addition, Donna is an accomplished musician and composer of several songster pieces published in
Army journals.

Major Ron Millar and his wife Major Donna Millar
stand with their sessional flag2

2 Photograph provided by Major Ron Millar.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 140

After retiring in 2017, Ron and Donna took a brief post-retirement corps appointment. In 2018,
they were reunited with their sessional flag and sessional photo as fixtures in the territorial archives.
Ron became the Archives Director and Donna became the Accessionist/Researcher at the archives
where their love for Army history over a lifetime continues to find meaningful and significant
expression.

They have two adult children who live in Toronto, Canada, and regularly enjoy the wonderful
company of their three energetic grandchildren.

I’ll fight update, another eyewitness?

The AJSAHistory has carried three articles on William Booth’s now famous ‘I’ll fight’ declaration
and questioned its links to his final public meeting. Booth was reputed to have said,

While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now,
I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, I’ll fight; while there is a poor lost girl
upon the street, I’ll fight; while there yet remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll
fight—I’ll fight to the very end!3

In the first paper on the topic in this journal, Major Cec Woodward outlined the difficulties in
identifying when Booth uttered these words.4 Two papers were also published by Gordon Taylor, one
outlined an earlier citation of the declaration while another showed that General Evangeline Booth
linked William Booth’s speech with his final public meeting in Albert Hall.5

During research for my PhD, I identified a new source to give evidence that William Booth did
state or restate the “I’ll fight” speech at his Albert Hall final public meeting. In 1964, Lieutenant-
Colonel Harry Taylor (R.) wrote memoirs, which were submitted to The officer. In this article Taylor
claimed, as did Evangeline Booth, there was a link between the speech and the public meeting. Taylor
wrote,

Speaking of the Founder, my wife and I were present, as cadets, when he gave his last address in
the Royal Albert Hall, on May 9th, 1912, just prior to his ‘going into dock’, as he said, ‘for repairs’.
I can still hear him uttering those immortal words: ‘While women weep … I’ll fight!’6

This could be another source of evidence; however, it will need to be analysed in light of other
sources and the reliability of other claims made in Taylor’s memoirs.

The AJSAHistory and The Solomon Islands History Project update

The ongoing research related to The Salvation Army Solomon Islands History Project has seen the
release of a series of five short videos on the ‘pre-history’ of the Army in the islands.

3 Cyril Barnes, Words of William Booth, (London, UK: Salvationist Publishing & Supplies, 1975), 79.
4 Cecil (Cec) Woodward, “’I’ll fight’ – William Booth’s final address. Memory of myth?” The Australasian journal of
Salvation Army history, 3, 2, (September 2018), 191 – 195.
5 Gordon Taylor, “While women weep: An update”, The Australasian journal of Salvation Army history, 4, 2,
(September 2019), 96 – 98; Gordon Taylor, “I’ll fight update”, The Australasian journal of Salvation Army history, 4, 1,
(March 2019), 145 – 147.
6 Harry Taylor, “Memories of Lieut.-Colonel Harry Taylor (R.) United Kingdom”, The officer, (December 1964), 801 –
806, 801.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 141

Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle’s ideology of ‘God as Strategist’ was used to frame the
research. Sources showed several strategies God used to prepare The Salvation Army to minister in
the islands.

The series was developed in connection with the 10th anniversary celebrations of the official
launch of The Salvation Army in The Solomon Islands. The events were held on the weekend of 19
– 21 November 2021. The videos were shared with the people at the special meetings held in Honiara.
Each video had been developed to fit the time allocations and the need for reduced memory size of
files to make it easy to upload in the Solomon Islands.

The first video contained the introduction as well as strategy one. The introduction outlined
how Brengle defined ‘God as Strategist’. The international and Australasian leaders of the Army,
who proposed the instigation of the Movement into the Islands prior to 2011 were listed as strategy
one. This video also contained reasons for the non-commencement of the Army in the islands during
this time.

The four remaining videos covered the additional strategies. The second strategy listed a few
islander Salvationists who lived in Australia. The third strategy highlighted Salvationists and friends
who lived in the Solomon Islands. Presentations on and fundraising for Christian ministry on the
Islands were outlined as the fourth strategy; information on this topic only focused on those events
connected with Salvationists. The fifth and final strategy covered in the videos outlined The Army’s
work in the Solomon Islands during times of emergencies. The videos gave evidence through
examples of God’s strategies to connect The Salvation Army with the Solomon Islands prior to the
Army’s official commencement.

Solomon Islands District Salvation Army Officer, Major Robert Evans who requested the
videos wrote,

They are OUTSTANDING!! We were totally engrossed by the extraordinary history you have
unearthed. I cannot wait to share these videos tomorrow night! Thank you so much for this

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 142

incredible gift you have given to the Solomon Islands District and for the significant contribution
it will make to our celebrations on the weekend. We are indebted to you…7
The videos can be viewed on the Facebook page of The Australasian journal of Salvation Army
history.

Book on Salvation Army historical property receives award

On Thursday 9 December 2021, the winners were announced of the annual Ron Rathbone Local
History Competition, Bayside Council, New South Wales, Australia. The winner of the Open
Category and Major Prize was Leonie Bell for Dappeto. Dappeto, a private home, would later become
The Salvation Army’s ‘Nest’, a home for girls, and now operates as the Army’s Macquarie Lodge
Village, within its aged care network. The book covers all three developments of the property. Bell
volunteers at The Salvation Army Australia Museum.

Cover of Dappeto
The competition honours the memory of Ron Rathbone OAM – a councillor and former mayor
of the City of Rockdale. Rathborne authored several books on local history.
The council noted that although there were limitations on research due to the COVID lockdown,
it received 21 submissions. The books were assessed by:

• Anne Slattery, President of the Botany Historical Trust
• Dr Peter Orlovich, Archivist and member of Botany Historical Trust and St George

Historical Society
• Dr Lisa Murray, City Librarian from City of Sydney Council
• Natalie Funston, Bayside Network Librarian.8
The judges stated there was a wide range of local history topics and the researcher’s showed
enthusiasm in the writing of their focus. Of Dappeto the judges noted its “high quality and engaging
story of Dappeto House, its owner and builder Mr Frederick Gibbins, and the girls who lived there
when it was known as The Nest --- a Salvation Army home for girls.”9

7 Facebook messenger.
8 “Ron Rathbone History Prize Winner 2021”, Bayside Council, (9 December 2021), ¶ 5,
https://www.bayside.nsw.gov.au/news/ron-rathbone-history-prize-winner-2021 accessed 23 December 2021.
9 “Ron Rathbone History Prize Winner 2021”, ¶ 8.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 143

Bell received a certificate and cash prize and Dappeto was added to the council’s Local History
Collection.

The AJSAHistory in publications

Papers from the AJSAHistory have been republished, abbreviated, or cited in other publications.
Citation of works
Rob May, The two sisters: The story of Ettie Wood and Annie McKenzie, Wife of “Fighting Mac”,

(Australia: Rob May, 2021).
Abbreviated works from original papers in the journal
Garth R. Hentzschel, “Book Review: A Missionary Memoir by Joan Williams”, Others online,

(Australia, 28 September 2021), https://others.org.au/reviews/book-review-a-missionary-
memoir-by-joan-williams/
Garth R. Hentzschel, “On the trail of the Golden Stairs”, Others, (Australia, September 2021), 7.

Garth R. Hentzschel, “On the trail of the Golden Stairs”, Others online, (Australia, 1 October 2021),
https://others.org.au/army-archives/on-the-trail-of-the-golden-stairs/

Marc Muller, “An Army at war: Feature L’Armee du Salut”, Salvationist, (UK, 13 November 2021),
10. https://issuu.com/salvationarmyuk/docs/salvationist_13_nov_2021

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 144

Published reviews of The Australasian journal of Salvation Army history

The first review was published in ROs Together: Official magazine of retired officers fellowship: The
Salvation Army Australia Territory. In part the review stated,

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, and I am currently perusing Volume 6.1, is
doing us a great service, and it seems to be of increasing interest with each edition.

Secondly, if you check it out for yourself, you will almost certainly enjoy being engrossed
in the nostalgia, as you recognise so much that makes sense to us older Salvationists.

In conclusion, could it be that, in the future, the AJSAH will provide the appropriate
platform – think Galileo & Copernicus – for some historically based contemporary analysis with
regard to The Salvation Army Australia?10
The second review appeared online in “Others online”,

Image connected with the online review of the AJSAHistory

The latest issue of The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History gives a detailed look
at Army history in the movement’s early days and more recent history in Zambia and New
Zealand.

Magazine Review: The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History Vol 6 Issue 2
11 DECEMBER 2021
REVIEWED BY JESSICA MORRIS

Few Salvation Army periodicals cover the breadth and depth of Army culture and history
like The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History.

Compiled by Executive Editor Garth R. Hentzschel, the mammoth amount of research,
storytelling and peer reviews that go into each issue is astounding. Now we are presented with
volume 6 issue 2, and the quality is no less.

In this issue, we are gifted with essays on the past and present Salvation Army. Professor
R.G. Moyles takes a delightful look at cartooning of The Salvation Army in Victorian Britain,
while Selwyn Bracegirdle explores the origins of Catherine Booth’s quote about ‘disturbing the
present’.

There’s also a lot to offer closer to home. Lieut-Colonel Bill Allott conducts a fascinating
study of politicians in New Zealand who were affiliated with the Salvation Army, and Ron Inglis
goes through the lives of expatriate staff appointed to The Salvation Army Mission in Zambia
from 1970-1985. With more than a few familiar names and some iconic photographs, this is a real
treat for anyone involved in the Chikankata mission.

10 Cecil Williams, “Exploring history – The Australasian journal of Salvation Army history”, ROs Together, (Spring
2021), 21 – 22.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 145

With plenty of book reviews, as well as a piece dedicated to Lieut-Colonel Ian Southwell,
written by Major Stephen Court, this edition of the magazine will keep you going for at least a
month.

To subscribe to The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, email
[email protected]
From the collection
The Salvation Army used publications from other organisations to place in libraries in the Red Shield
Huts during the two world wars. Following are images of British Red Cross Society first-aid manual,
No. 1. Stamps of the ‘Red Shield Huts’ appeared throughout the book.

(Above) Cover and inner page of book showing the stamp of The Salvation Army’s ‘Red Shield Hut’
(Below) Enlarged image of the stamp that appeared throughout the book and others that were held in

libraries of the ‘Red Shield Huts’

11 Jessica Morris, “Magazine Review: The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History Vol 6 Issue 2”, (11
December 2021), https://others.org.au/reviews/magazine-review-the-australasian-journal-of-salvation-army-history-vol-
6-issue-2/ accessed 11 December 2021.

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 146

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO ASSIST WITH RESEARCH

The following researchers have asked for assistance from our readers. If you know of any
information or articles, have photographs, stories, or artefacts, please contact them via their email
address as outlined below.

Garth R. Hentzschel – Theses, chapter of books and journal articles. For the continuation of the
‘Bibliography of Salvation Army Literature in English 1988 – Present’, Hentzschel is requesting any
information on theses, chapters of books and journal articles written about The Salvation Army.
Information is sought on such works and possible copies of these documents, please contact
Hentzschel at [email protected]

Gordon Lewis – Information on the Fry family. Lewis is writing a book, Listen to the Band, about
the Fry family of Alderbury, Wiltshire who are noted as the first Salvation Army band towards the
end of 1878. Stories, photographs, and memories are all needed, including of Bertram Waterman Fry
who emigrated to Australia and attended Adelaide Corps. Bertram would become the father of Alfred
Narroway Fry who became an “infamous” Australian hero. Please contact Lewis via email
[email protected].

Major Kingsley Sampson – The Life of Kingsley Mortimer BA, MB BS, MRCP, LRCP,
Diploma in Bantu Studies, Diploma in Psychiatry. I am researching the life of Dr Kingsley
Mortimer (1909-1980) after whom I was named. Born in New Zealand, Kingsley was variously a
Salvation Army officer, missionary in Africa, India and Indonesia, anatomist, medical school lecturer
in Perth and Auckland, and geriatric psychiatrist (Auckland). He did his medical studies in London
before and during the Second World War. His wife was Mavis Hinemoa McKenzie (1908-1992)
whose father was William ‘Fighting Mac’ McKenzie of First World War fame. Kingsley once said
that in some circles in Australia, he was known as the man who married Mavis McKenzie, while in
New Zealand, he was known for himself. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who has personal
memories of Kingsley or Mavis or who has memorabilia, photos or other items that they are willing
to make available for this research. Please contact Kingsley Sampson at
[email protected]

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 147

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND
FEEDBACK ON

THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF SALVATION ARMY HISTORY ~
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2

Dr Sam Hey, Sessional Lecturer at Christian Heritage College, Citipointe Ministry College -
School of Ministries, and Alphacrucis College, Australia

I appreciate the great work that you and the team are doing on this.
Kevin Keast, Salvationist, Melbourne, Australia

I am sending you a Caricature postcard issued in French and German during the South Africa
Boer War 1899-1902. This is part of a series of 10 postcards. You may like to send this to the
author of the Caricature of the Salvation Army. Thank you for sending me The Army Booklet. I
am always looking out for anything about the opening of the Cairns Corps in 1914. My aunt and
uncle opened the Corps in 1914. Do you have anything on them. Captain and Mrs Barnes.
Thank You

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 148

Major Ronald B. Millar, BA, BEd, MTS, MBA - Director of Archives, The Salvation Army
Archives, Canada and Bermuda Territory

Thanks so much for sending these excellent issues of the Journal. I have spent the last couple of
hours reading and scanning many of the articles, which I have found to be incredibly informative,
interesting, and inspiring. What an incredibly excellent resource!!! … Your work and leadership
in this key area of Army ministry is valued and appreciated.
Brigadier Dorothy Smyth – Retired Salvation Army Officer – Queensland, Australia
This is to acknowledge with thanks the Vol 6 Iss 2 which must have required many hours of work
for you. They are so informative and humorous, I enjoyed quite a few hearty laughs. God bless
you and your ministry.
Joan Wicks
Thank you very much for all the material [previous issues of the journal] that you sent. Much
food for thought :)
We encourage letters to the editor on papers or other items. Please send your email to the
Executive Editor – [email protected]

The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2022. Page 149