Burton upon Trent Citadel of The Salvation Army

Brief History of The Salvation Opening Fire.

Burton upon Trent is well known for its brewery industries, which originated here in the 13^th century in Burton Abbey when the monks discovered that the high gypsum content of the water made excellent beer. This led to the first full-scale brewery being built in 1708.
At the height of the industry there were 31 breweries producing three million barrels of ale. It's against this background that The Salvation Army opened fire in Burton under the command of Colonel Elijah Cadman.

Seeing that the brewery and brewery related industries was the major employment of the town, also with the local newspapers calling on the Burtonians to drive the Salvation Army out, it's not surprising that the early Salvationist faced a formidable task.

Shield Take the first day, Saturday July 17^th 1886, when the Colonel arrived by train, with help from the band of Derby Corps, a crowd of approximately ten thousand was waiting for them. They were greeted with hissing, hooting and groaning but they formed in line and the band struck up. The crowd pushed and jostled them, the bandsman were scattered, the drum was smashed and the mob pulled the Colonel along by his hair in a attempt to push him into a public house. After a hot time the Salvationist got to the barracks (A hired malt kiln) which was packed, men standing on the seats shouting and cursing. There was no chance of a meeting but they sang and spoke a little, and the police helped clear the hall. The next day the meetings were held in the market place when many were gloriously saved.

The building in Wetmore Road was packed every night and during the first eight days 120 men and women were converted. During the first twelve months 14 men, at various times, were summonsed for fighting and using obscene language in the Salvation Army. By the second anniversary (1888) 200 soldiers had signed the Articles of War and there were several hundred adherents who regularly attended the meetings. In May 1889 the Burton Corps opened their new Citadel in Brook Street. The hall was well lit with gaslights and had accommodation for 1,200 people. The first meetings in the new citadel were led by Commissioner Eva Booth.

General William Booth visited Burton on three occasions. The first being July 7^th 1887 when General Booth conferred Baptism of fire. The last time was August 13^th 1909, when the General kept a promise he had made the previous year (on a flying visit) to return to Burton to address the general Purpose Committee in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall.

List of Commanding Officers from 1886 to the Present Day
Capt. Shenkins Capt. King Capt. Tingell Capt. Turner Ajd. Ward Ensign Barker Adj. Taylor Capt. Capp Ensign Nottridge Capt. Grainger Adj. Black Capt. Chapman Ensign Dix Ensign Johnson Adj. Sherman Adj. Giles Comdt. Flemming Comdt. Bourne Comdt. Hackett	Comdt. Marriot Adj. Latter Comdt. Portas Ensign Aldion Adj. Ritchie Adj. Greaves Adj. Swindell Major Allen Major Boswell & Adj. Milnes Major Griffiths Major Gough Major Kimberley Major Churchman Major Nellist Major James Major Mercer S/Captain Ward S/Major Hainsworth S/Major Downs	Brigadier Weaver Brigadier Clewlow Major Wilson Capt. Kew Brigadier Seekings & Capt. Stewart Major Chater Major Stacey Capt. Pearce-Haydon Brigadier Gothard Capt. Cutler Major Woodward Capt. Irvine & Capt. Johnstone Major Groves Capt. Crookes Major Aggett Major Laina Geleit Majors Brian & Pamela Edwards Majors Peter & Marion Shipp Majors Rudi & Lesley Pilsel
please note that our early records do not record the officers spouses

List of Commanding Officers from 1886 to the Present Day