COMMISSIONERS DONALD AND JOYCE KERR

Commissioners Donald and Joyce Kerr, both children of officer parents, grew up knowing something of the joys and challenges of Salvation Army officership. They both entered The Salvation Army Training College, Toronto, 1954 as cadets of the “Soul Winners” session.

Prior to their marriage in 1957, Donald Kerr served as Cadet Sergeant for one year and then was appointed to the British Columbia North District, during which time he was engaged in full-time teacher training at the University of British Columbia. In this same time period Mrs. Kerr served in corps appointments at London Oak Street and Kingsville in Ontario, and Cranbrook and Hazelton in British Columbia.

As a married couple the Kerrs continued their service in the BC North District, serving in both the corps and schools of Glen Vowell and Canyon City (Gitwinksihlkw). While serving in BC North the Kerrs developed a love and appreciation for our aboriginal people which was definitely reciprocated and had been maintained throughout their officership.

Corps appointments as a married couple include Leamington and Woodstock (Ontario), Mount Pleasant Citadel (Vancouver), Winnipeg Citadel and Vancouver Temple. Their first appointments in divisional leadership were as the Divisional Secretary and Divisional League of Mercy Secretary of the BC South Divisional Headquarters respectively.

In 1980 the Kerrs were appointed as the Divisional Leaders of the BC North and Yukon Territory Division, where they were able to once again share in the ministry so close to their hearts.

The teaching skills of Donald Kerr were again put into practice in 1983 when he became the Assistant Principal at the College for Officer Training, Toronto, followed by a promotion to the position of Training Principal in 1985. During these years Joyce Kerr served as the Assistant Director of Special Services, and later as Director of Special Services. In 1989 they were appointed to Territorial Retired Officers’ and Services to Seniors Secretary.

In 1993, the Kerrs were transferred to the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland Territory, with Donald as Chief Secretary and Joyce as Territorial Community Services Secretary.

In October of 1994 the Kerrs returned to Canada as the Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Organizations respectively.