Early opposition

In the early days, The Salvation Army’s loud brass-band marches and open-air meetings didn’t always impress. “Skeleton Armies” – groups of people (often local larrikins) intent on causing The Salvation Army mischief – were active in many towns, including Lismore.

Salvationists taking part in street marches and open-air meetings were often pelted with rotten eggs! The Lismore Skeleton Army would march alongside The Salvation Army and hold parallel “meetings”. A document produced to commemorate Lismore Salvation Army’s centenary, described the din as frightful, with two meetings going on at the same time. But eventually the Skeleton Army realised that The Salvation Army was in Lismore to stay and the Army had the joy of seeing the conversion of the Skeleton Army captain, Andy Reid, and many others of his group.