COMMISSIONER BOOTH-TUCKER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18804, 6 March 1923, Page 2

COMMISSIONER BOOTH-TUCKER

Commissioner Booth-Tucker, who arrives hero to-day and will gne an addicss in the Salvation Army Citadel the same evening, was born at Monghyr, Bengal, 1853, son of an Indian judge educated at Cheltenham College. In 18/4 passed an examination for Indian Civil Service, and became a civilian in the Punjab. Entered the work in 1881. Reading in the War Cry about tho work of the Salvation Army, ho became so intensely interested in the movement that he straightway applied for leave, saned for England, and presented himself before the General,’ to whom he ottered his services. The General hesitated to accept thorn m view of what such acceptance would involve. The enthusiast called again and announced, ‘T have retired from the civil service and yon must take me.” Ho returned to India in charge o£ a pioneer parly of Army officers, and adopting the dress and habit of the common people, begged his way across India, preaching as ho went. In 1888 he was married to Emma Moss Booth, the second daughter of the Founder of the •Vriny, known and revered to this day in its rank's, as ‘-The Consul.” Together for more than 15 ‘years they fought m India, in Europe, and America, seeing many souls brought to the Saviour. It was on October 20, 1803, when returning from a tour in tho Western Stales of America, that the Consul met her death in a railway accident. In 1805 the Commissioner was again appointed Foreign Secretary 1.H.Q., which appointmenl he held for 12 yogi's. IJI-:heciltli neoessifated his return to England in t 919. ■\uthor of “Catherine Booth,” the Mother of the Salvation Army, and other works. Speaks several Oriental and other languages. In 1913 the King conferred on the Commissioner the Order of the Kaisor-I-Hind for public service in India. The General, referring to the Commissioner, said: “110 is one of the most remarkable examples wo have of how men of brain and position and high fiarding in life, can absorb the Salvationist spirit. I regard him as one _of the most powerful minds , in the Salvation Army World.” Appointed to the Order of the Founder, 1920. Married in 1806 to Lieutenant-colonel .Minnie Reid, daughter of the late l.cstoek Reid, 1.C.5.. Acting Governor of Bombay. Mrs Booth-Tucker catered the service in 1885 and her appointments include work <tt International Headquarters, Divisional and Provincial Officership in the United Kingdom, the Chief Secretary of Belgium, the Divisional Officership of French Switzerland, and the Territorial Coinrnaindership of Italy.