COLONEL EDWARD READ

Colonel Read became an officer from Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, in 1946 and, following a year as cadet sergeant, became a corps officer. He was a corps officer for 19 years, with the exception of two years as a brigade officer at the Toronto Training College.

Newcastle, N.B.; Kelowna and Chilliwack, B.C.; East Toronto were but some of the congregations that grew under the impact of his ministry. Skills were developed as the Colonel became known as an able and forceful Bible teacher, and as a writer for Army publications. These qualities were put to good use when, in 1965, he became Chief Side Officer at the Toronto Training College, two years later being appointed Training College Principal in St. John's, NL .

In 1971 Colonel Read became Principal in Toronto, and two years later returned to Newfoundland where he served for four years as Provincial Commander.

This service in many parts of the territory fitted Colonel Read for his next appointment, as Field Secretary. For five years he travelled the territory giving guidance to the corps work of the Army in Canada and Bermuda.

Overseas service beckoned, and in 1982 Colonel Read became Territorial Commander for the Caribbean, where Salvation Army forces are working in 11 countries.

In 1950 the then Lieutenant Read married Lieutenant Doris Harrison, who became an officer from Mount Pleasant Corps, Vancouver, B.C. in 1948. The Reads have five children, one of whom is a professor at the Catherine Booth Bible College.

Colonel Read returned to Canada on July 1, 1986 to become Chief Secretary.