THE SALVATION ARMY

Northampton Mercury Sat 11 June 1887 – "Burton Latimer - Salvation Army – Three services were held on Sunday last in Mr. W. Northern’s barn by a contingent of the Salvation Army from Kettering. At each of the services there was a crowded audience." This is the first mention we can find of the Salvation Army's activities in Burton Latimer and from 1888 Salvationists met in a cottage in Ambler's Yard until the Citadel (described at the time as the Barracks) was built in the town in 1900, some years after the erection of The Britannia Club which was situated next to it in the High Street. Ambler's Cottage was on the other side of the Citadel. The Salvation Army rented the land from Thomas Ambler until at least 1920, when it was mentioned in his Will, and it was later purchased by the Corps.

Northampton Mercury 21 April 1893 - Burton Latimer - Salvation Army - On Saturday evening the Burton Corps had a special meeting in the (Baptist) Assembly-room, in which they were assisted by Staff-captain and Mrs. Gale, also Captain Camp and the Brass Band from Wellingborough. Previous to the meeting a tea was held, when about 100 sat down, and after this the band paraded the village. Special meetings were also held on Sunday.

The Citadel fell into disrepair (see photograph below) when the corps folded in 1956 and was demolished in the mid 1960s.

By this time the Britannia Club officers had acquired the land for an extension but the Salvation Army put conditions on its use. A condition of the sale of the land was that no intoxicating liquor should be sold or consumed on the purchased land. As a result, the land was used to construct a new front entrance to the club and staircase, with the entrance at the extended frontage being bricked up.

Salvation Army Officers in Burton Latimer

Year	Name	Context
1888	Capt. Duncome	Took command of BL Corps
1888	Lieut. Eastwick	Took command of BL Corps
1891	Capt. Alice Birchfield	1891 Census
1891	Lieut. Esther Gowland	1891 Census
1893	Staff-Capt. Gale	Special meeting at Assembly Room
1900	Capt. Sanders	Childrens party
1901	Beatrice Hammant	"Salvation Army Officer"1901 Census
1907	Beatrice Hammant	Married Thomas Issitt - described in the register as "Bible woman"
1915	Capt. Dobey	Article about increase in sale of Social Gazette magazine
1920s	Capt. Todd	Named on photograph
1920s/30s	Capt. Day	Named on photograph
1930s	Capt. Thos. E. Smith	Stationed at BL according to report on his 1934 wedding in Bucks.
1930s	Lieut. Helm	Capt. Smith's Best Man also stationed at BL
1934	Capt. Hetherington	Newspaper report
1937	Capt. Denny	Attended Remembrance Service
1937	Lieut. Mainsbridge	Attended Remembrance Service
1939	Capt. Allies	Newspaper report
1939	Miss Barratt	Salvation Army representative at Baptist celebration
1939	Thomas. E. Oliver	Salvation Army officer - 1939 National Register
1939	Harry E. Thompson	Salvation Army Officer - 1939 National Register
1939	Captain Carter	Spoke at Finedon Wesleyan meeting
1939	Lieut. Oliver	Spoke at Finedon Wesleyan meeting

Capt Todd - 1920s	Capt Day - 1920s/30s
The first two officers to live in Duke Street in a house rented for their accommodation	The second pair of officers to live in the Salvation Army house in Duke Street - early 1930s

THE WAR CRY

Salvation Army on parade - 1930's Mrs Howard is the lady on the left hand side. John Chester (see following reference) is on the right in uniform

Memories of Ray Chester:

My grandfather, John Chester, became a lifelong member of the Salvation Army in the town. This came about when he was in The Dukes Arms public house, much the worse for drink, and when he heard the band passing by he left the public house. He lost his balance and fell through the big drum and injured himself. The members of the Salvation Army ministered to his needs and from that moment he became a Salvationist for the rest of his life. My aunt, Evelyn Villette (nee Chester) was another member of the Salvation Army.

Burton Latimer Salvation Army Boy's Band 1930s taken outside a house in Duke Street Johnny Wiles middle of front row

Selling the War Cry - 1956 Sketch by Graham West of the Salvation Army "War Cry" being sold in a public house - a common sight in these days. Graham West and his pals are in the foreground.

Memories of Phil Mason

As a youngster I remember visiting the Salvation Army Citadel on Saturday mornings with my friend, Geoff Barclay, to watch a film show run by an officer who came by bus from Irthlingborough.  The films were mostly cartoons and there were others with Christian content.  Meetings were sometimes held at the War Memorial and as a young lad I attended and was given a penny by my parents to contribute to the funds.

Occasionally joint services were held at the Salvation Army with the Methodists, Baptists and Anglicans.  At one time, in the 1950s, an officer came from South America and lived with a family in Alexandra Street.  A welcome service was held at the Citadel and then the congregation went to the nearby Mission Room where there were facilities for refreshments.

Two regular Salvation Army members were Mrs Howard and Beattie who lived in Finedon Street.  Another staunch member was Mrs Flo Underwood from Hawthorne Close.  When the Citadel closed she continued to worship by walking from Burton Latimer to Rothwell to join the worshippers there and then would return by car.  Another Salvationist was Mr Sturgess who lived in Finedon Street.

When the Citadel closed most of the followers went to the Methodist Chapel and Beattie went to the Mission Room.