Others Magazine

Major Brian Davis was promoted to glory on Wednesday 3 August 2022, aged 79. Brian entered his eternal reward, walking home with Jesus after faithfully serving as a Salvation Army officer for more than 42 years.

Brian Gordon Davis was born in Albany (WA), the youngest of three boys. He grew up in the Albany Corps, where he was a junior soldier, corps cadet, bandsman, senior soldier and youth group leader. He left school in 1957 and worked at the Albany Woollen Mills, then commenced work in shearing teams in 1960, starting in the Kimberleys and working down to Esperance. It was during this time that Brian qualified as a professional wool classer.

Brian met his wife Pat at the Albany Corps youth group, and they were married in 1965 at the corps by the then Captain Brian Morgan. In the following five years, Murray, Sharmaine and Clinton were born and travelled around in the shearing teams with their parents. This necessitated moving around and living in seven different towns, finally settling in Katanning.

It was from Katanning that they answered the call of God to full-time service and, in December 1979, were commissioned as territorial envoys. In January 1980, they set out with their three children to their first appointment on the other side of Australia – Wonthaggi (Vic.).

Following appointments were to Peterborough (SA), Tea Tree Gully (SA), Corio (Vic.) and Ararat (Vic.) as corps officers. In October 1990, they were appointed to Katherine as managers of the emergency accommodation centre and instructed to plant a corps, which opened in February 1991.

After a stint as corps officers at Victor Harbor (SA), they became chaplains at Sunset Lodge (Vic.) and Linsell Lodge (SA) aged care services, and in 1998, Brian was appointed manager of Linsell Lodge.

The following year they were appointed to the Sunrise Centre Bridge Program and Homeless Shelter in Darwin. It was whilst here that they were promoted to the rank of majors. Following this, they were appointed as divisional drug and alcohol directors in Bendigo (Vic.) and managers of Overdale Rehabilitation Centre in Kilmore. In 2005, at their request, they moved to Mandurah (WA) as corps officers, and in 2008, they were appointed as associate corps officers at Geelong Corps, from where they retired on 1 August 2008.

In retirement, Brian was an active member of the Geelong Corps, playing in the band, holding roles including band sergeant and librarian, and was involved in the Just Brass children’s program. He was an enthusiastic member of MAGNET (Companion Club), led men’s fellowship, and was a prayer pal.

Brian’s main loves in life were his wife of 57 years, Pat and his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Our love and thoughts are with Pat, Murray (dec.) Amelia and Xavier, Sharmaine Briggette and Jake, Bryce, Kateena and Nora, Clinton, Alex, Lucus and Ella.

“Her master said to her, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful ... Enter into the joy of your master”
(Matthew 25:23)

A Thanksgiving Service to Celebrate Major Brian’s life will be held on Wednesday 10 August at 2pm at The Salvation Army, 239-241 Malop St, Geelong, Victoria. The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed by the following link: http://cpconceptevents.com.au/the-late-major-brian-gordon-davis/