Others Magazine

Major Gladys Walters was promoted to glory on Monday 23 January 2023, aged 91, having served as a Salvation Army officer for more than 70 years.

Gladys White was born on 17 March 1931 in Subiaco (WA). In 1951, Gladys entered Officer Training College in the Australia Southern Territory from her home corps of South Perth as a cadet in the Ambassadors session. Following her commissioning on 15 January 1952, she was appointed as an assistant officer to Kalgoorlie Corps (WA). She then served as the assistant at Narwee Family Group Home in 1953, followed by an appointment as an assistant officer at Yarraville Corps (Vic.) in 1954.

Gladys married 2nd Lieutenant Victor Walterson on 1 May 1954, and they were blessed with four children – William (Stan), Maxwell, Rodney and Janita. They commenced their first appointment together as corps officers at Heywood on 3 June 1954. There were three more corps appointments between 1957 and 1960 at Beechworth, Kensington and Carlton.

Social work then became the focus of Victor and Gladys’ ministry, serving together at Mount Barker Boys Home and then the Open Door Alcoholic Centre between 1960 and 1964. After transferring to the Australia Eastern Territory in July 1965, they served at Pacific Lodge, St Peters Rehabilitation Service Centre and Miroma Industries, Endeavour Anchorage Farm, Collaroy Men’s Home, Stanley Street Men’s Home, Cairns Peoples Palace, Sydney Peoples Palace and Silver Crest Lodge (1965-1986).

In 1983, Gladys was given an additional appointment as Divisional Silver Star Secretary. In August 1986, the role of Social Officer at Bethesda Aged Care was also added to her appointment. Majors Gladys and Victor Walters officially retired on 1 March 1991. Gladys, however, continued to serve and took on the role of Area Coordinator Sunshine Coast: Emergency Services South Queensland (April 1998 to March 2007).

In retirement, Gladys involved herself in many aspects of corps and social life, first while living at Warana on the Sunshine Coast and then in Riverview, a suburb of Ipswich. She particularly enjoyed the morning teas, outings with other retired officers from Riverview Gardens, and spending time with her four children, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are extended to Stan and Val, Maxwell, Colonels Rodney and Wendy Walters, Janita and Greg, their families, and friends.

“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)