This is my story - 37

37 –The Salvation Army’s first Corps – Central Corps

One day in March 1935, a lone salvationist, Brigadier Herbert A Lord set foot on an alien shore, Singapore to commence work of The Salvation Army. He wasted no time in making contacts with Government officials and leading citizens of Singapore.

Among the contacts was a Sri Lankan man, Duncan Maxwell Sheddon, son of a salvationist, who was also a Police superintendent in Colombo. Duncan was delighted to see the familiar uniform and the two became The Army in Singapore! Another good friend of the Army was Roland Lyne, General Secretary of the YMCA where Lord was staying while he was looking for a place to start the Army. He secured permission to hold prayer meetings in the evenings.

The first property secured was No 47 Killiney Road. (the building is still there) The front room, which could seat between 40-50 people, was used as a hall for meetings. The two rooms behind were used as offices, while the upstairs area served as quarters. The first meeting was held here on 28 May 1935 attended by ten people – Brigadier and Mrs. Lord, their three children, Duncan Sheddon and his daughter Joyce, plus three children. This was followed by a children’s meeting with three Chinese children.

In July approval was given by the Municipal Council to hold open-air meetings at the Waterloo Road Bandstand. Duncan Sheddon managed to obtain an old military band drum from a karang guni (rag and bone) shop at Sungei Road! Herbert Lord, dressed in Salvation Army uniform and accompanied by this Sri Lankan man beating a big bass drum attracted many out of curiosity. With his big booming voice Lord explained the reason for their open-air meeting - to introduce them to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So that was The Salvation Army’s first Corps (church). What a privilege and awesome responsibility to be appointed to take charge of The Singapore Central Corps at its second building – 207 Clemenceau Avenue.Command Headquarters occupy the same building.

My wife grew up in this Corps, so for her it was returning home. Before entering training I spent some time as Candidate Helper assisting Lieutenant Douglas Kiff. (See Chapter 11)