COMMISSIONERS ROBERT AND ANNIE HOGGARD

In his boyhood at Beverley, Yorks, Robert Hoggard engaged in the coasting craft, and spent much of his leisure time dancing and singing in public houses. At age sixteen, in 1877 young Bob gave his heart to God at the Penitent Form. Four years later, while conducting a week-end meeting in Hull, the Founder asked this eager soul winner, “When are you going into work?” A few days afterwards the youth was instructed to take his post as Lieutenant with Captain Unsworth at Bristol Circus.

He has commanded some of the largest Corps in Brittan.

In 1886 he married Captain Annie Johns.

After commanding some seventeen Corps, this stalwart served as Divisional Officer in Brighton, Liverpool, the Tyne, Sheffield. Then as Provincial Officer, he held important commands, including that of Ireland.

When the Founder visited Japan in 1907, he dispatched Commissioner George Scott Railton to survey prospects on the Korean peninsula. In October 1908 Colonel and Mrs. Robert Hoggard (nee Annie Johns) arrived with a group of officers to ‘open fire’ in Seoul.

Afterwards, the Colonel served with distinction as Territorial Commander in Scotland, South Africa, New Zealand and in 1929 became Territorial Commander of Canada West.