LOSS TO ARMY IN CANADA
Commander Booth said that the loss of Commissioner Rees left the Army in Canada without a head, and added that most of those who had perished belonged to the preaching staff.
Brief mention of some of the officers lost in the wreck follows:
Commissioner Rees came out from Reading in 1882, and in 1911 was put in charge of the work of the Salvation Army in Canada. He had been principal of the International Training College, London, field secretary of the United Kingdom and territorial commissioner for South Africa and Sweden. In 1885 he married Captain Ruth Babington.
Colonel Sydney Maidment, chief secretary for Canada, had been stationed in Toronto since 1912. In 1887 he graduated from Pokesdown and was appointed as an officer. He had seen service in Denmark, Finland, South Africa, South America, Norway and the West Indies. He married Captain Peckham in 1882.
Brigadier Potter was born in Scotland and had seen service in Great Britain, Japan, United States and Canada, respectively. He had been in Toronto since 1906 as financial secretary.
Brigadier Henry Walker, an Englishman, had been editor of the War Cry since 1912. He had served in Sweden, South Africa and Great Britain.
Brigadier Hunter was in Canada on furlough after many years of service in India. He with his wife and family were going to the congress in London, on their way back to India.
Major David Creighton was born in Sussex, Ontario, and entered the Army nearly thirty years ago at St. John, New Brunswick. He had been assistant immigration officer, and previously was a field officer. His wife was also on the Empress of Ireland.
Major Nettie Simcoe for the past year had been in charge of the work in Vancouver. For a number of years she was assistant editor of the War Cry. She was born in England.
Major Findlay had been stationed in Toronto for the past five years. He was a member of the Special Efforts Department and had a long term of service in England before coming to Canada.
Staff Captain Emma Hayes had been in charge of the Temple Corps at the Army headquarters, Toronto, for the past three years. She had a varied career in different parts of Canada.
Staff Captain Arthur Morris had been stationed in Toronto for twenty years or more. He was assistant in the field department at the headquarters, James Street.
Adjutant Hanagan was bandmaster of the Territorial Staff Band and was a valuable officer. He had been in Toronto for the past eight years.
Adjutant Green had been in Toronto for the past two years only and was accompanied by his wife and daughter on the Empress of Ireland.
Adjutant Price was matron of the Hamilton Home.
Adjutant De Bow was private secretary to Commissioner Rees. He had been in Toronto for ten years.
Adjutant Stitt, secretary to the property board, had been in Toronto for six years.
Adjutant Edwards was in the department of the men’s social work in Halifax.
Ensign Mardall was formerly in charge of the police court work in the Toronto courts, but in 1913 was removed to Vancouver where he had charge of the entire police court and rescue work of Vancouver and New Westminster.
Ensign Jones was in command of the Calgary Rescue Home.
Ensign Bonynge had been in Toronto for five years and was secretary to Colonel Maidment.
Ensign Pattenden was the only Toronto-born officer of the Army on the Empress. He was connected with the immigration department. He entered the service of the Army in 1906.
Captain James Myers was connected with the financial department at the headquarters. He was born in England.
Captain Dodd, who was on the editorial department of the War Cry, had served in Toronto for eight years. He had been married for only a few days and his wife was on the boat with him.
Captain McGrath was a member of the Headquarters Band and was well known in Toronto, where he had lived several years.
Captain Harding Rees came to Toronto with Commissioner Rees and was with the property department.
Captain Ruth Rees was connected with the divisional headquarters.
A list of the Salvationists aboard and of the survivors will be found in another chapter.
CHAPTER XI
Notable Passengers Aboard
SIR HENRY SETON-KARR—LAURENCE IRVING—MABEL HACKNEY—COMMISSIONER REES—MAJOR LYMAN—CANADIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS—LONDON CLERGYMAN—HALIFAX PATHOLOGIST—AUTHORESS AMONG LOST—SOME OTHER WELL-KNOWN PASSENGERS
THE tragic loss of life was emphasized by the fact that many of the passengers were known around the world. Among these were Sir Henry Seton-Karr, English lawyer, traveler and hunter, and the actor, Laurence Irving, and his wife, Mabel Hackney.