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William Laird

Last updated: 18/11/2006

Perhaps not the greatest musician but I can say that I enjoyed the privilege of having been a member of the Bass Section of Bellshill Band. I joined the Y.P Band under the leadership of Tom Young and the Band Sgt. Lachie Aird. Both of these were a great help to me. At 15 years I transferred to the senior band and was greatly helped by the Officers and local Officers at that time.

Following National Service I left the Corps in 1956 for The Training College and was commissioned to the South Yorks Division. It was there that I met Edna and we were married in 1959. Our Corps appointments together have taken us as far North as Kirkwall in Orkney and as far South as Plymouth. Among the Corps we commanded were, Warrington, Bedford Congress Hall, Coventry City, Birmingham Citadel, Thornton Heath and our final Corps Appointment was Plymouth Congress. We then served on Divisional Headquarters, 8 years at Bristol and three years at Manchester.

We have one son John who is the C.S.M at Croydon Citadel in South London and plays the Bass Trombone in the Corps Band. His wife Janet is Singing Company Sgt. and they have two children Mia who is nearly four and Noah who is one. Our home is in Wigan Lancs, the home town of Edna.

It is nearly 8 years since we retired but have tried to live busy lives. For three years we accepted the pastoral care of nearly 30 retired officers in the Cheshire, Derbyshire and Lancashire area. For 7 years I have been The Salvation Army chaplain at a large category B prison near Preston, and at least once a month I preach in the Methodist Churches in this area. Edna is a very keen Home League member and also sings in The Songsters. Quite recently we commenced a Bible Book Club (Study) in the Corps and this is creating interest.

I will always be grateful for The Spiritual influence and teaching that I received at Bellshill Corps. God Bless you.

by William Laird, Wigan (18/11/2006)

Bellshill Salvation Army Band