Tri-Colour Ribbon

HERITAGESERIES6

Salvation Army

Tri-colour

Ribbon on Salvationist Uniforms New Zealand 1883-1900

Selwyn Bracegirdle

THE SALVATION ARMY HERITAGE CENTRE & ARCHIVES TE RUA MAHARA O TE OPE WHAKAORA

The Heritage Series is a collection of historical material from the Heritage Centre & Archives of The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa Territory.

The series brings to life the histories of a wide range of people, artifacts, images, records, events, places, work and mission of The Salvation Army.

“Show by our colours that we are not of this world.”

The War Cry 18 November 1893 page 7, “Hints on Uniform Wearing”.

HERITAGE SERIES 6 Salvation Army - Tri-colour Ribbon on Salvationist Uniforms - New Zealand 1883-1900

by Selwyn Bracegirdle, Research and Content Manager Heritage Centre & Archives © The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa December 2020 ISSN 2624-3865 (Print) | ISSN 2624-3873 (Online) The content of this publication has been sourced from The Salvation Army Heritage Centre & Archives’ physical and digital collection, unless otherwise stated. All War Cry references are from the New Zealand War Cry, unless otherwise stated.

The views, comments statements and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the official position of The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army Heritage Centre & Archives Te Rua Mahara o Te Ope Whakaora Booth College of Mission 20 William Booth Grove, Upper Hutt 5018 PO Box 40542, Upper Hutt 5140 Phone: + 64 4 528 8628 ext 65051 Email: archives@salvationarmy.org.nz Cover photograph: Unknown salvationist from Wellington [City] Corps.

The Heritage Centre & Archives also has a webpage on which you can find information and articles of interest: https://archives.salvationarmy.org.nz/

Contents

The Tri-colour Ribbon

PAGE 3

Enthusiasm for a Ribbon

PAGE 7

New Zealand Gallery

PAGE 11

Australian Gallery

PAGE 47

International Gallery

PAGE 52

A Unique Ribbon

PAGE 56

Epilogue - The Colours

Inside back cover

Placement of this tri-colour symbol (at this size), on some photographs, is used to assist identify who is wearing a ribbon in a large group.

PAGE 1

Captain Harry ‘Ironsides’ Edwards was the pioneer officer of the Christchurch [City] Corps (Above c1883 and left c1885).

In both photos he wears the tri-colour ribbon underneath his shield badge.

Captain Harris had earned the nick name ‘Ironsides’ when opening the No1 Corps North Melbourne in 1882, withstanding the attacks of ‘roughs’.

But he was seconded to New Zealand where, alongside Pollard and Wright, opened the work in Christchurch on 20 May 1883 in the Gaiety Theatre.

PAGE 2

The Tri-colour Ribbon

As The Salvation Army evolved into existence from the Christian Mission in 1878, new icons began to appear. Military ranks came into use beginning with the transition of William Booth from Reverend to General. A crest was designed by Captain William Ebdon, featuring crown, cross, swords, ‘S’, dots (Gospel shots), sun symbol, ‘Blood and Fire’ motto - all with a theological significance for The Salvation Army.

The Army flag came into being incorporating three significant colours. The red of the flag representing the blood of Christ (Atonement), the blue border standing for purity, and the yellow star in the centre signifying the fire of the Holy Spirit. The first Salvation Army flag had been designed and presented to the Coventry Corps in England by Catherine Booth in 1878. At the time the centre of the flag was a yellow sun representing the Light of Life. This was changed to the star in 1882. When new corps were opened and their first flag presented it was termed ‘Presentation of Colours’.

But there also existed a personal emphasis evidenced in The War Cry phrases such as: ‘enrolled under the colours’; ‘stick to your colours’; and ‘show by our colours that we are not of this world’.

In 1891 Colonel Reuben Bailey, New Zealand Colony Commander (1891-1895), makes the following comment in The War Cry 20 June 1891 pages 1-2: ‘If after faithful dealing at the penitent form, an officer has every reason to believe the convert to be fully saved. I think it quite right to advise him to wear some part of our uniform - a piece of tri-colour is sufficient for a start - but in all cases it should be a voluntary action on the part of the convert. I do not think it advisable for an immediate jump to be made into a full rig out...’

The ‘Orders and Regulations for Soldiers’, 1899 (Chapter IX, Fighting, Section XI - Uniform, point 9, page 124) gives the following guidance: ‘Soldiers should, if possible, wear some ribbon, or badge, or other sign of Soldierhood, when at their daily employment.’

The wearing of the tri-colour ribbon appears to be an encouraged first step for a new recruit in The Salvation Army - a way of showing your new connection to the Army. But it seems, in the New Zealand context particularly, that the wearing of the tri-colour ribbon was valued by officers and soldiers to the extent that there exists in the historical record of cabinet card photos dozens of examples of its use.

The War Cry included advertisements for the Trade Department, offering ‘Tri-Colour Army Ribbon’ at two pence per three inch piece. This length was specifically for sewing onto the front edge of the uniform or jacket.

PAGE 3

Major George & Mrs Alice Pollard, Dunedin, 1883. George wearing a buttonhole ribbon (Tri-colour ribbon).

PAGE 4

The recent awareness of the wearing of the tri-colour ribbon by Salvationists pre-1900 began with its identification in the photograph of Major George and Mrs Alice Pollard taken in 1883.

George wears the ribbon as a ‘button-hole ribbon’. The initial question was around the colouring of the ribbon, with the presumption it would be The Salvation Army colours yellow, red and blue. Visually it appears to be a yellow centre with red either side and blue on the outside.

But what are the origins for wearing a ribbon in this way. Many years later than Salvationists wore the ribbon, the Germans in WWI and WWII used button-hole ribbons as part of awards and medals earned in military campaigns. But was there earlier use of button-hole ribbons?

In Francis Durivage’s A Popular Cyclopedia of History (variously published 1835-1845) we read that in 1815 a statute was established that stated “...’for the purpose of commemorating the auspicious termination of the long and arduous contest in which this empire (Great Britain) has been engaged,’ the order [of Knights] should be composed of [three] classes...”. The third class was Companions of the Order, where these instructions were given “..To wear the badge assigned to the Third Class, pendent by a narrow red ribbon to the button-hole.”

So, there exists a precedent for the wearing of a button-hole ribbon. But in The Salvation Army context the wearing of such a ribbon comes at the beginning of a campaign, in the war against sin - a declaration of membership in this army of salvation.

The War Cry (New Zealand) 28 May 1898 pg3.

Major George Pollard 1884. Continues to wear the tri-colour ribbon as a buttonhole ribbon.

PAGE 5

Australasia’s senior officers photographed around the time of the First International Council of War in Melbourne July-August 1886.

Front: Major Barker; Commissioner Howard; Major Pollard (NSW).

Back: Major Barritt (NZ), Adjutant Quick (Tas); Adjutant Wright (Queensland); Major Lindsay (SA).

PAGE 6

Enthusiasm for a Ribbon

We know George Pollard wore the tri-colour ribbon as a button-hole ribbon in 1883. In 1885 Major Pollard was transferred to Australia to be commander of New South Wales. In the photo opposite, with his fellow divisional leaders, he is continuing to wear the tri-colour ribbon. He continues to promote its use as seen in a photograph taken in Ballarat (1887), page eight/nine, where eight salvationist men and women, including the Territorial Commander, are wearing the ribbon.

Was George Pollard the influencer for its use in Australasia? When he was appointed to Australia he certainly left behind in New Zealand a significant number of Salvationists wearing the ribbon great enthusiasm for its use existed among men and women.

It seems significant that by the time the photograph in Ballarat is taken in 1887 the Territorial Commander is also seen to be wearing the tri-colour ribbon. It is possible this is the only photograph that exists showing him wearing the ribbon. Was this a one-off event for this Territorial Commander to wear a tri-colour ribbon in public?

The popularity for wearing the ribbon seems to have lasted during the 1880s and 1890s. Once the twentieth century arrives the popularity and practice seems to dissipate immediately.

While the New Zealand War Cry advertised the tri-colour ribbon as available in three inch lengths, the Australian War Cry promoted it in some cases as the buttonhole ribbon (see page 50).

Major & Mrs Barritt c1887 As commander of the New Zealand colony, the Major appears, by this photo, to have taken on the mantel of promoter of the tri-colour ribbon in New Zealand as did his predecessor Pollard.

The War Cry (Melbourne, Australia) 8 February 1890 pg3.

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

Ballarat Salvationists including six men and two women wearing the tri-colour ribbon | c1887.

PAGE 9

Major & Mrs Donald Graham, the first commanding officers of the Dunedin South Corps - 1883.

PAGE 10

New Zealand Gallery

It is extraordinary that for around twenty years in New Zealand there existed a great enthusiasm for wearing the tri-colour ribbon by soldiers and officers, when originally its use was encouraged particularly for new recruits. Because that encouragement was notably for use at places of employment, it is fascinating that Salvationists saw the positive attribute for wearing the tri-colour ribbon on their person even when clothed in The Salvation Army ‘uniform’.

The gallery of photographs featured here gives an insight into the extent to which Salvationists wore the tri-colour ribbon in New Zealand. Some wear it boldly in full view. Others only show a sliver. Most wear it stitched onto the edge of the tunic while others attach it to a badge.

The wearing of the tri-colour ribbon could be described as Officers and soldiers wearing ‘the colours’!

This salvationist is wearing the tri-colour ribbon next to his shield badge.

On his arm is a patch with flags and stripes to show him as a ‘colour sergeant’.

PAGE 11

Mrs Sutherland | Mrs Hardiman | Onehunga | 1886.

PAGE 12

Sis Mrs Ellen Tyler standing | Captain Redman sitting | 1886-87.

Unknown Salvationists | Undated.

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

PAGE 13

In late January 1885 the Flying Brigade was sent out to do it’s work, and by February 1885 was being reported on in The War Cry. A mobile Salvation Army sent to “scour the country, from north to south, and from east to west” (The War Cry 7 February 1885 page 2). Captain Pattrick was in charge (also known as the Hallelujah Cabman) and in July was joined by Cadet Holdaway (sitting beside Pattrick). Holdaway was promoted from cadet to lieutenant on joining the Flying Brigade.

In this black & white image, and the photo opposite, Captain Patrick wears the tri-colour ribbon above the badge on his chest. In the smaller photo below he is wearing a different shield badge and the ribbon sits between that badge and the rectangular bar above it.

PAGE 14

Lieutenant Holdaway (seated) and Captain Pattrick (standing).

PAGE 15

Major Frank Barritt can be seen wearing the tri-colour ribbon in these three photos. The two on the left were taken in Invercargill on a visit there.

The photo on which this caption sits was taken in 1886.

In 1885 The Salvation Army in New Zealand was still a Division of the Australasian Territory with the Territorial Commander in Melbourne. In August 1885 it was announced Major George Pollard would transfer to Australia and Deputy-Major Frank Barritt replace him as Divisional (Colony) Commander with the rank of Major. Frank Barritt had been Pollard’s Assistant Divisional Commander since arriving from England around September 1884.

In Dunedin, on Monday 5 October 1885, Frank married local lassie officer Ella McMillan with 2000 people present at the wedding. In June of 1886 they had a daughter, Eva Howard Barritt.

Ella took charge of the Women’s Rescue Homes in New Zealand. On 1 November 1887 they sailed to New South Wales for a new appointment.

PAGE 16

Lieutenant Johnny Bowerman | 1883.

George (CSM) & Mrs Proctor | Napier | 1890s.

Mrs Rachel Matthews was one of three ladies whose signature was on the letter to General William Booth inviting The Salvation Army to New Zealand. The Matthews were very prominent in the pioneering of The Salvation Army in New Zealand.

Alexander and Rachel Matthews | Undated.

Unidentified Salvationists | Undated.

PAGE 17

This wonderful cabinet card was located on the Channel Islands, United Kingdom and donated to the Archives by Martin Whybrow, a Salvation Army officer in England.

Amazingly we found another cabinet card of the same Salvationist in the Archives collection (see opposite page).

They were photographed in different cities in New Zealand, and while that might provide clues to his identity (including the sergeant stripes below), unfortunately his name remains unknown.

PAGE 18

PAGE 19

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

Unknown Salvationists | Undated.

Unknown Salvationists | Undated.

PAGE 20

Brother McCamish | Newton Corps.

Brother G. Gladding | Auckland.

Candidate and Mrs Kissel | Invercargill Corps | 1886.

Captain Dave Buckingham.

PAGE 21

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

PAGE 22

Ensign John Sutton.

Captain John & Mrs Veitch | Invercargill | 1888.

Captain George & Elizabeth Wedge | Invercargill | 1884.

Lieut. James Innes | Assistant Officer | Christchurch Corps | 1883.

PAGE 23

Unknown couple | both are showing just a sliver of tri-colour ribbon.

Brother A Hickmott | Fielding Corps.

Brother J Hopkins | Rimu | Southland.

Captain Robert (Bob) Spiers | Described by some in his day as one of the most successful officers the Army had.

PAGE 24

Captain Arthur Stevens | Capt Arthur Duggan | Capt Charles Strand | Capt Tom Flaus | Capt Johnny Aston | Capt Joseph Hildreth.

These officers were jailed in New Zealand at different times for witnessing the faith.

PAGE 25

Captain John Condon on the right, sporting a tri-colour ribbon near his violin.

PAGE 26

Bandsman from the Hastings Corps with cornet and tri-colour ribbon.

Brothers H & E Bishop | one wearing tri-colour ribbon | Wanganui.

Centre - Lieutenant Horn with tri-colour ribbon | Hokitika Corps | 1888.

Either side - Captain & Mrs Lane (Mrs Lane also wearing the ribbon).

Wellington Salvationists | tri-colour ribbon on the right.

PAGE 27

Unknown female officer | tri-colour ribbon just visible.

Captain Joe Hunter wearing tri-colour ribbon.

PAGE 28

Captain Renshaw & Lieutenant Dixon | Whangarei Corps’ first officers.

Annie Elizabeth Gordon | Masterton | 1898.

PAGE 29

Salvationist musicians | ribbon worn on the left | Invercargill.

Unidentified | ribbon worn tucked behind bow | Christchurch.

Lieutenant John O’Callahan.

Unidentified | outer two wearing the ribbon | Christchurch.

PAGE 30

Unidentified Salvationist wearing a small strip of tri-colour ribbon in Christchurch.

PAGE 31

Captain James Harlow | Christchurch | 1891.

PAGE 32

McVickers (?) | Kemp | Lieutenant McMillan Palmerston North.

Captain Kemp | Lieutenant McMillan.

Members of the Milton Corps Band | 1895 | The Baritone player, middle back row, is wearing the tri-colour ribbon.

PAGE 33

Unidentified Salvationist couple wearing the tri-colour ribbon.

In this pose only the gentleman is wearing the tri-colour ribbon.

“Mum” and “Dad” Pollock | first soldiers enrolled in Ashburton Corps | 1884 | Both wearing the tri-colour ribbon.

Two unidentified Salvationists | Christchurch | Both wearing the tri-colour ribbon.

PAGE 34

Elizabeth Westlake & Elizabeth Herdman | early New Zealand officers | 1884 | Herdman is wearing the tri-colour ribbon.

PAGE 35

Unknown Salvationists | Undated.

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

Unknown Salvationists | Undated.

Unknown Salvationists | Undated.

PAGE 36

Schauck family of Oamaru | 1887.

PAGE 37

Unknown Salvationists | Undated.

PAGE 38

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

Captain Pennington | Lieutenant Lambert | Invercargill | 1896.

PAGE 39

Unknown Salvationists | Undated.

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

PAGE 40

Unknown Salvationist | Undated.

Group of three unknown Salvationists all wearing the tri-colour ribbon | Undated.

PAGE 41

Unknown Salvationists | Undated.

PAGE 42

Clarke Lucas | Fielding Corps | Undated.

Tremain family | Female sibling standing wears ribbon | Undated.

Sydenham Training Garrison men | 1893.

PAGE 43

Wanganui Corps Band | 1885.

Dunedin Corps Band | 1898.

PAGE 44

Invercargill Corps Band | 1884.

Training Garrison men | 1897.

PAGE 45

Captain Edward Saunders | Australia | 1890.

PAGE 46

Australian Gallery

In the Australian (Melbourne) War Cry of 27 December 1884 pg4, the ‘Outfit Department’ advertises “tri-colour Army Ribbon, for button-hole, two inches for 2d.” and “Pin-badge, with tri-colour ribbon, 3d.”

By 1887 the tri-colour ribbon is advertised as “1d [per] inch and 2s [per] yard.” and in 1890 the ribbon becomes “Tri-colour Ribbon (wide) per yard 2s.”

When 1900 arrives advertising of the Tri-colour ribbon by the ‘Trade Department’ appears to have stopped. But there continue to be reports of it being pinned on the jackets of new converts up to at least 1904.

Reports on the wearing of the tri-colour ribbon in the Australian (Melbourne) War Cry: 15 October 1887 pg5 - “One of our young converts, who wears the Army ribbon, was asked at the dinner-table by some young men what football club colours he wore. He told them that he belonged to a club that never yet lost a match.”

15 October 1887 pg8 - “HOW TO BACKSLIDE ...5. Do not wear much uniform, and only put what you do wear on for the meeting. A shield of a piece of Army ribbon must never appear at home or at the workshop.”

30 June 1888 pg6 - “STAWELL [Victorian Western Division]. At our free-and-easy, on Sunday afternoon, a brother said he was asked one day by a man, who saw the tri-colour ribbon in his coat, what football club he belonged to. His answer was, ‘I have joined the body of people that are kicking away at the devil,’ Glory! Show your colours, comrades! - Captain and Mrs Upton.

4 July 1903 pg10 - “Ballarat Divisional Blessings ...at a converts meeting the Army Ribbon was pinned on new converts.”

While not as prolific a use as in New Zealand, Australians did pick up on this idea of wearing an Army Tri-colour Ribbon. The following images evidence its use in Australia.

The War Cry (Australia) 14 January 1905 pg11.

PAGE 47

Cadet Ethel M Hasluck | Coolgardie | Australia | 1890.

Unidentified Salvationists | Australia | Undated.

PAGE 48

Unidentified Salvationist | Adelaide | Australia | Undated.

Unidentified Salvationist | Stawell | Victoria | Australia | Undated.

Unidentified Salvationists | Brisbane | Queensland | Australia.

Korumburra Corps | Victoria | Australia | 1900 | Photographic taken by The Salvation Army ‘Limelight’ Studio | One ribbon identified on lapel.

PAGE 49

Sergeant Jack Johnson | Fremantle | Western Australia | Undated.

Billy Aberdeen | Kyneton | Victoria | Australia | Undated.

The War Cry (Australia) 27 December 1884 pg4.

The War Cry (Australia) 28 January 1890 pg8.

The War Cry (Australia) 12 November 1887 pg8.

PAGE 50

Unidentified Salvationist sitting with Captain James Harlow holding cornet | Both wear the tri-colour ribbon | Australia | 1895.

PAGE 51

International Gallery

Online searches have revealed very few examples of The Salvation Army tri-colour ribbon on the uniform. The English example below was located on an auction website. The example to the right is from the Isle of Man where the capital is Douglas - location of the photographers studio. While the use may have been prolific in New Zealand there is every possibility it was used around the world a little more widely than may be realised. It is a feature that is obscure on some images, and quite noticeable on many others. It seems that that this small symbol is unremarkable to people in The Salvation Army world today.

Where in the world are other examples of this uniform feature that speaks to the desire of early Salvationists to ‘show there colours’.

PAGE 52

PAGE 53

Major James Glover, Canada c1885. In 1887 james married Rebecca Holtham and they continued to serve in Canada until their transfer to Australia in 1891, and to New Zealand in 1906. They had also served in Java 1902-04.

James is wearing the tri-colour ribbon vertically above the star shaped medallion.

Middle : Captain Rebecca Holtham (to be Glover), Canada c1885. Note - Rebecca and the Salvationist on the left are wearing the tri-colour ribbon.

PAGE 54

Kroonstad Salvation Army Band | Kroonstad | Free State | South Africa | 1892 | Two bandsmen identified with tri-colour ribbon.

American Salvationists | New Haven | Connecticut | USA | Undated | Three wearing the tri-coloured ribbon.

PAGE 55

A Unique Ribbon

Here are presented three examples of the tri-colour ribbon pre-1900. The most notable feature is that the yellow band is the widest followed by the red then blue. This is a consistent feature of the early tri-colour ribbon featured in this publication. In fact it is unique to this period in the history of The Salvation Army.

The original tri-colour ribbon was unique.

All the tri-colour ribbons that followed the original have very different proportions to the colours. The red being the widest and the yellow either the narrowest or, at most, equal to the blue. See below.

PAGE 56

Epilogue - The Colours

The concept of ‘the colours’ features most prominently in relation to The Salvation Army flag. The War Cry (NZ) 21 September 1889 features an article on page 2 about the ‘presention of colours’: The event of the evening [at Newton Corps] was the Presentation of Colours [flag], and these were brought to the front amidst a storm of applause.

After the Major [Rolfe] had explained the meaning of the three colours, the lassie officers in charge received them on behalf of the corps, each vowing allegiance to the old flag. ...Some people don’t think there is much in a flag, but personally he [Captain Robinson] hoped every soldier would carry out all the meaning that was embodied in those colours. Once he was present at a review, and remembered seeing two bits of rag on a pole. The very appearance of them sent a thrill through the crowd, and they cheered to the echo when these were carried by.

They had been in battle, and though tattered and torn, surrender of those colours was the last thing those soldiers would have done - sooner have parted with their lives. Let us be equally as courageous in hoisting our colours before the world, and take care never to surrender our principles for anything.

Early [1880-82] flags had a ‘sun’ in their centre, but from 1882 the standard flag has had a yellow star in its centre. This star represents the Holy Spirit. The present star is also eight-pointed; the number has been varied from time to time but no significance has been attached to this. The crimson colour of the flag represents atonement, and the blue colour God’s chosen emblem of purity. (The Salvation Army International Heritage Centre website: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/symbols)

“Let us be equally as courageous in hoisting our colours before the world, and take care never to surrender our principles for anything.�

The War Cry 21 September 1889 pg2.

Sophia (no last name) | Hastings Corps