GENERAL BRAMWELL BOOTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 13

GENERAL BRAMWELL BOOTH

COMPANIONSHIP OF HONOUR

WORK FOR SALVATION ARMY.

WIFE'S HOPE OF RECOVERY.

Australian Press Association—United Servico LONDON. April 29. General Bramwell Booth, formerly head of the Salvation Army, has been appointed a Companion of Honour by the King. When General Booth read the letter informing him of the honour, he turned to his wife and said: "I am pleased, because I see you are pleased, but wo must not think too much of earthly

honours. This is an honour not for myself, but for the Army. I only wish I were in a 1 better condition to make use of it."

In an interview Mrs. Booth said: "The honour conferred by the King will be a great tonic to my husband. Wo firmly believe ho will by God's permission be well enough again to lead the Army, fie is slowly climbing up. He is a saint for whom the world is not yet ready. " Whatever may be the decision of the courts we feel that if the General is able to face his people on a platform they will rally to his side. We have lost our rooms at the Army headquarters. The authorities removed his mother's picture. We brought it home, but wo have never told him, as it would break his heart."

In another interview Mrs. Booth said: " Do not think for a moment that the fight is off. 1 think that when the General reappears the rank and file will proclaim him their leader." The Daily Mail says: "A small and remarkable body forms tho 'Order of the Companions of Honour. They should be proud to welcome General Booth. He took up his work when the Army was a small body. It was scorned and derided. Its marvellous progress owes much to his long and faithful stewardship. " The King's acknowledgement is a compliment to all who marched beneath William Bramwell Booth's banners."

The Companionship of Honour (C. H.), was founded in 1917. It consists of one class only, and carries with it no title or precedence, but ranks after Knighthoods of the British' Empire. «. ber of awards is limited, and it is conferred on both sexes. The present holders include Mr. Winston Churchill, Mr. Stanley Bruce, Miss Elizabeth Haldane, Sir Henry Newbolt, the Rev. Hugh H. L. S'heppard, General J. C. Smuts, Mrs. Margaret Tennant, and Viscount Burnham.