Commissioner Geoffrey Dalziel

Today is our 16th Wedding Anniversary! I can honestly say that I am more in love with Tracey today than I was 16 years ago - why she married me I'll never know but I'm so glad she did - and I thank God for her daily - marrying Tracey was the best thing (outside of religion) that I ever did.

Now what's that got to do with a photo of the Joystrings?

On Thursday Tracey wanted to buy me a present so we went to Bluewater (which is a five minute drive from Dartford). While Tracey went off to buy a present I made my way to Costas for a cup of coffee (that I probably shouldn't really be drinking) the man that served me (on seeing the Army shield) on my shirt refused to take any money and told me that the coffee was 'on the house!'.

We got into conversation and it turned out that his name was Emil and he was the son of Lt Colonels Peter and Sylvia Dalziel! (For those that don't know Peter and Sylvia were members of the Joystrings) We had a good chat about God and the Army and especially about Emil's grandfather Commissioner Geoffrey Dalziel. As we chatted I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit around us in a very powerful way and I sensed that Emil was also aware of this.

Commissioner Geoffrey Dalziel was the British Commissioner when I was a teenager and he led the South London Division Youth Councils in 1976 when I first seriously gave my heart to Jesus. My pilgrimage has been somewhat circuitous since then but it was those formative experiences and the influence of people like Commissioner Dalziel that put me where I am today.

For those who never knew the Commissioner the following is the tribute paid to him in 'Salvationist' in 2007 when at the age of 93 he was promoted to Glory.

"WHEN PEOPLE speak of Geoff Dalziel, they inevitably mention his physical stature and bearing - tall, upright and dignified. This was also a spiritual quality: he was upright in all his dealings, never devious or manipulative, always dignified and respectful in his relationships. He walked tall in the sight of God and man.He was a cadet in the 1933 Witnesses Session, and it was during a second year, as assistant sergeant-major, that he met and fell in love with Cadet Ruth Fairbank. They married four years later.

Their children - John, Peter and Christine - were born during corps commands at Williamstown, Shipley and Staple Hill.In ‘digs' during his first appointment at Cefn Fforest in South Wales, he promised to keep the working timetable of his host, a miner. This meant rising with the family at 5.30 each morning - a habit he maintained for the rest of his life.

A member of training college staff from 1946 to 1951, he poured into fledgling officers every ounce of his own enthusiasm and spiritual dynamism. From 1951 to 1959 he inspired thousands of lives as divisional young people's secretary in the Norfolk, Liverpool and South-West Scotland Divisions, followed by five years as training principal in Australia Southern.

His next appointment as chief side officer at the International Training College was a difficult transition, but - with the careful support of his wife - he accepted it graciously and with commitment.Chief Secretary responsibilities in Australia Eastern and Canada were followed by territorial leadership in East Africa, where the Dalziels opened their hearts to its people and found themselves received and loved in return. The experience left an indelible impression on their lives.

As British Commissioner from 1974, a well-worn path to the second floor ‘inner sanctum' at 101 Queen Victoria Street established that pattern of consultative unity with IHQ so necessary for the Army's continuing effectiveness in the UK.

Always most proud of his children and grandchildren, after retirement in 1980 he and Mrs Dalziel spent a memorable time visiting John, Christine and their families in Australia, and Peter and Sylvia in South Africa. In 1982 he began 20 record-breaking years as President - and later, Chaplain - of the South London Retired Officers Fellowship, for which he received the Certificate of Recognition.The only time he considered breaking into those years of service was with his wife's sudden illness and eventual promotion to Glory in 1990. Further sorrow pierced his heart in 2003 when his daughter Christine died from cancer in Australia.With his eldest son John in Australia, and Peter presently serving in the Netherlands, there is significance in a verse the commissioner loved to quote at family prayers:

There is a scene where spirits blend,
And friend holds fellowship with friend;
Though sundered far, by faith they meet
Around one common mercy seat.(SASB 573)
With his passing, there is no break in this certainty."

We could do with a few more Officers like Geoff!

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