COMMISSIONERS DAVID AND RUTH REES

David Rees was born in Reading England, and it was at that city that he first met The Salvation Army. With great curiosity David continued to visit the Army and on his thirteenth meeting, with a hundred and thirty-six others, he went to the mercy seat.

For nearly three years he served in the Corps as a soldier and local officer, and then the idea was borne in upon him that he should become an Officer.

He commanded nine Corps as a field officer and was one of the first Divisional Officers to be created when expansion of the Army called for increased supervision and the first Officer to be called a Chief Divisional Officer. His chief Divisional command embraced the counties of Lancaster and Cheshire with a large part of North Wales. Later he was to be put in charge of the London province as Provincial Officer and additionally was the Staff Training Secretary.

Following this appointment came the direction of the Army’s work in Scotland. In June of 1891 he was sent to take charge of the Army’s operations in Canada.

In 1892, following a short stay in Canada, he was appointed The Field Secretary of Great Britain. Then followed the command of the South African territory. This in turn was followed by appointment as Principle of the International Training homes

Eight and a half years later, Commissioner Rees was appointed to command the Sweden Territory. After having completed nearly five years, he was appointed to the Australian command, but due to the failing health of Mrs. Rees, that appointment was abandoned, and he was reassigned Canada.

He married Ruth Hephzibah Babington 8 April 1885 in Sheffield.

Commissioner Rees and his wife and all five children were promoted to glory along with a large contingent of the Canadian Staff Band and several Territorial leaders in the early morning of May 29, 1914 with the sinking of the Empress of Ireland. The Commissioner and other Salvationists were on board the ship bound for England to participate in congress events.