Tingha legend: Robert Duck-Chong

Robert Duck-Chong (pictured with wife, Coral) was born in Tingha in 1901. Before becoming a Christian, Robert smoked, drank and gambled but the Salvation Army officer of the day, Ensign Alfred Whittaker, kept inviting him to the Army. One night, Robert stood outside the hall listening to the meeting. The officer’s wife sang the words I cannot leave the dear old flag and even though he was unsure of which flag she was singing about, when the officer invited people to the penitent form, Robert went into the hall and to the mercy seat. Robert became a Salvation Army officer in 1925 and with his wife Coral they went on to serve for more than 40 years.

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