When Captain George Tan heard the news of the surrender of
the Japanese, he got in touch with Captain Tan Eng Soon, who had been working
for the Japanese at a Cattle Farm at Sungei Dua. Eng Soon was one of the earliest converts in
Penang, becoming a Salvation Army officer in 1939. Both of them were eager to recommence the
work of the Army even though there were no instructions from Headquarters. They found an empty house at 102 Burmah
Road, which the Japanese had used as a geisha house. Putting on their uniforms, they went to the
Police Headquarters to see the Head of the Administration, expressing their
desire to begin Army operations in this empty house.
“Who is the owner?” asked Major Drake-Brockman, the
officer-in-charge.“We don’t know,” replied Captain George Tan, “but we feel that this is the place we need to start a Red Shield Club.”
The British major remained silent for a few minutes, then
instructed his assistant to prepare a requisition order for the building to be
made available to The Salvation Army! So
the Lord provided the building!
The enterprising captains had no money. The Japanese currency was as good as
useless. However, that did not deter
them going round asking for donations of furniture, equipment, utensils and
foodstuff. Then they rounded up Yeo Kok
Chin and others to clean up the place and repainting it with donated paint.
They prayed for a vehicle.
One morning, the two captains went to a motor repair shop hoping to find
a used vehicle. They saw a car driven
by a Japanese. The captains stopped him
and spoke to him in Japanese, but the poor fellow who was trying to escape to
the mainland just handed the keys to the captain and fled for his life into the
jungle! So now they had a vehicle! They made a licence plate out of a piece of
hardboard and wrote “SA 1”.
Along the way they saw a group of young men pulling a
handcart with two 44-gallon drums of petrol.
They mistook our captains for the military police and fled for their
lives, leaving behind the stolen petrol.
The captains retuned the petrol to the owners who were so grateful that
they gave our captains a large quantity as a reward! Later someone gave the Army a second car
which they named “SA 2”.
There is always music in The Salvation army. Captain Tan Eng Soon suggested that they
rent a piano, even though they had no money.
One day, the captains were driving along Pulau Tikus, when suddenly, Eng
Soon noticed some people wheeling a Grand piano along the road. He alerted George, and they both got out of
the car. Turning to the people with the
piano, he asked, “Where are you taking the piano?” Without stopping to answer, they fled in
different directions, leaving the piano with thecaptains! Well, it was only about half a mile from the Red Shield Club, so with some help and a handcart, the piano was brought to the Club!
During the Japanese Occupation, Tan Eng Soon had, at great
risk to his own life, hidden the navy blue serge uniform belonging to Major
Fred Harvey, and also the Army flag. He
took that flag and placed it on the building!
Triumphantly it waved in the breeze!
Lieut-Colonel Thomas Ward and Major and Mrs Jewkes en route
from Rangoon to Singapore had to stop at Penang with little hope of seeing the
Army started by Major and Mrs Harvey seven years earlier, functioning. Some servicemen told them about the Red
Shield Club about to be opened.
Surprised, they were taken to 102 Burmah Road where, to their amazement
and delight, they saw the two enterprising Chinese captains in uniform, busy
serving the people.Major Frederick Harvey, freed from Changi Prison, was sent to re-establish the work in Penang. What a pleasant surprise for him to see the Army already functioning under the leadership of the two captains. The Governor of Penang was elated to welcome Major Harvey and greeted him with the words, “You’re just the man we want.” They gave the Major an office at Police Headquarters, plus a member of the staff from the Assessment Department to assist him in relief operations. People were soon queuing up for food parcels outside the Army centre.
The Red Shield Club house was used on Sundays for worship. Salvationists were delighted to be able to
worship again openly even if it was at the Club House!
Adjutant and Mrs Frank Bainbridge were appointed to take
charge of the Penang Corps. He did
prison work sponsored by the Rotary Club, helping many prisoners to
re-establish themselves back in society.
YPSM Reuben Michael rented the premises of the Lutheran English School
at Dato Kramat Road. Here, the Army
held Sunday school and conducted worship services. There was a thriving youth ministry under the
leadership of YPSM Reuben Michael. His
daughter still attends the Corps to this day!
The Army remained here till a new hall was built at 53 Perak
Road. We thank God for the officers and
comrades who, despite trials and tribulations, have kept the Army flag flying
triumphantly in Penang.
Today a young and enthusiastic couple, Captains Andrew and Fiona
Lo are responsible for the Corps (church) and Children’s Home. 
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