Malayan Salvationist To Tour New Zealand

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30481, 1 July 1964, Page 10

Malayan Salvationist To Tour New Zealand

One of the Chinese ■ Salvation Army officers who helped td keep the organisation alive in Malaya during World War II will make a tour of New Zealand in July and August. He is Major Tan Eng Soon, the manager of the Salvation Army home for boys in Singapore. Major Tan ■ was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in 1940. Two years later, when all European officers in the Army in Malaya were interned, he was placed in charge of the boys’ home, with its 90 occupants. Later'he was sent to. Penang,, his birthplace, as a “free lance”, to do what he could to keep the army alive. Although he had no backing apart from his commission, and no financial resources, he

directed a dispersal camp and an old people’s home.

As soon as Malaya was liberated he started a red shield club for troops. When the British Salvation Army officers arrived they found a flourishing chib, with the Army flag flying. During the occupation Major Tan had hidden all his Salvation Army insignia and equipment, including a jeep which he buried deep in the jungle. As the guest of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, Major Tan will speak of his experiences, and of the work he is now doing. He intends to attract attention to the need for support of the international self-denial appeal, which will be made in New Zealand during. July and August.