Alison Walter (née Harewood)

Retired Salvation Army Commissioner

(Alison was Head Prefect and also Dux of Camberwell High School in 1948)

Soon after I finished my studies at Camberwell High School, my parents were transferred by The Salvation Army to Toronto, Canada, and I went with them.I met my Canadian husband, Stan Walter, and lived in Calgary, Alberta, for a year before we trained as Salvation Army officers (pastors/ministers).

We served in a church for three years and then, because my husband has a degree in Maths and Physics, and hearing that teachers were needed in boarding schools in Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia), we offered for missionary service. In 1959, with two small children, we travelled by boat to Capetown, South Africa, and by train inland to Harare, Zimbabwe. Out third child was born whilst we were teaching on a mission station. That school, Mazowe Secondary School, is still one of the leading boarding schools of the country, preparing students for university.

Because we lived some distance from the big city, it was my duty to teach our children their elementary grades, using correspondence lessons. After two years of home tutoring, they had to go to boarding school. In 1964, we were transferred to another boys’ boarding school in Kenya, on the border with Uganda. This was a newer school and my husband, as Headmaster, did a lot of pioneering work there.

At that time, Kenya had recently become independent and it was an interesting contrast to the white government of Zimbabwe. Following these six years in Africa, we returned to church work in Canada, which included several years on the staff of The Salvation Army’s Training College (seminary) as well as youth work and administration.

In 1978, we were asked to return to Nairobi, Kenya. Leaving our children in university in Canada, we returned to Africa to give leadership to the church in Kenya, which has the largest membership in the Army world. After four years there, we were given leadership positions in the church in Canada.

In 1986, we were again challenged to return to Africa – this time to South Africa at a very crucial time in their political history. Ignoring the limitations of apartheid, we sought to care for, and help, all races. We had been living in Kenya when its beloved leader, Jomo Kenyatta died, and we were in South Africa when Nelson Mandela was released from imprisonment.

What interesting times we have lived through! To conclude our years of active service, we were sent to London, England, in charge of the Africa Desk at the Salvation Army’s International Headquarters. This appointment necessitated visiting the many countries in Africa where The Salvation Army works with churches, schools, hospitals, clinics, etc.. Needless to say we have left part of our hearts in the great continent of Africa.

We still keep active in retirement in Toronto, Canada. My husband does the accounting at some of The Salvation Army’s homeless shelters and I enjoy helping with grandchildren. It is interesting that, although, they were dependent on their mother for their elementary education, the three children have Masters Degrees in engineering, medicine and actuarial science/business administration.

(This autobiography was supplied by Alison's niece, who also mentioned that her auntie and uncle tend to modestly understate things, which to me seem to be remarkable, selfless achievements.)

Alison Walter and her close relatives...Alison is wearing the white blouse and a pendant - in the middle of the photo.