Guarding the young

For many years, Lifesaving Guards and Sunbeams were an important part of Salvation Army life and in the Australia Eastern Territory, Mabel Ward played a significant part.

 A keen sunbeam

In October 1924, Mabel’s mother Mrs Major Elizabeth Ward had established a Sunbeam Brigade in Wagga Wagga. This group claimed to be the first in Australasia and young Mabel was a keen member. During their stay in Wagga Wagga Corps, Major and Mrs Ward established all four Lifesaving sections, Sunbeams, Guards, Chums and Scouts with the Scout Troop numbering nearly 60.

Back in the 1920s and 30s, Guards and Scouts for children aged 12 and over were usually formed before Sunbeams and Chums for 8-12 year olds. As enthusiasts for the Lifesaving movement, the Wards inaugurated and developed these sections as they moved from Corps to Corps during the twenties and early thirties.

Decline and regrowth

By the late 1920s the Lifesaving movement was in decline. Leadership was hard to find (the work was very demanding and often conflicted with other Army duties) and there was no system for training potential leaders. As well financial hardship brought on by the global depression meant that many families had trouble providing uniforms. The writer recalls joining a newly-formed Chums group in the 1930s. Late into the night, his mother sewed the necessary uniform as it could not be bought ready made. When a change of officers left the Chums and Sunbeams leaderless, the group closed leaving him with an almost new uniform but no group in which to wear it. His mother insisted that it not be wasted and to his disgust it became school-wear. Having been designed in Britain and never modified for Australia’s climate it itched and scratched.

During the war years potential leaders were involved in the national effort and by 1953 the Australia Eastern Territory had only one Sunbeam Brigade, Four Guard Troops and no Scouts or Chums. The answer in other territories was to affiliate the Salvation Army groups with the Baden-Powell Scouts and Guides but generally speaking this arrangement was not productive. Mabel Ward had a different answer. She organised training courses for leaders and encouraged the development of new groups. Thanks to these efforts the Australia Eastern Territory had 28 Guard Troops and 26 Sunbeam Brigades by 1959.

Overcoming difficulties

Captain Ward became Territorial Guard Organiser in 1953 and held this position for 13 years. At first she had many difficulties to overcome. For example, the supply of badges so essential to the program was exhausted and with no more coming from England Mabel had to search out Australian suppliers willing to provide the small production runs. Eventually she organised for Guide Badges to be modified appropriately. In the meantime embroidery skills provided hand-made badges.

Camping was another important feature. Beginning in 1954 regular camps were held at Collaroy with a tri-territorial camp in 1958. These occasions were a highlight of the year for the girls and a time of renewed inspiration and technical training for their leaders.

An all-round Young People’s worker

Mabel worked for young people in The Salvation Army in other ways as well. As a candidate at Hurstville in the early 1930s she led the Intermediate Company Meeting (Sunday School for 8-12 year olds). As a headquarters officer soldiering at Parramatta she served as Corps Cadet Guardian. At first there was only one Corps Cadet but with good leadership this soon changed and eventually there were six future officers in the group. Most remarkably in late retirement she worked as Junior Soldier Sergeant to the lone junior soldier at a struggling nearby Corps. Not many Salvationists had such a continuing and productive service among young people.

By George Hazell

Further Reading

The Brigadier Remembers! Highlights of the History of Guarding in the Australian Eastern Territory (as recalled by Brigadier Mabel Ward to Nigel Barbour.) Unpublished booklet held in the Sydney Heritage Centre.