Lucy Emily (Atkins) Harris (1882 - 1959)

Born 16 Oct 1882 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

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Biography

ucy was born in 1882.

She is the daughter of George Atkins and Annie Garland. ^[1]

Lucy, the oldest daughter of Annie Isabella and George Atkins, was one of two of the Atkins children who devoted their lives to the work of the Salvation Army. Born on 16th October 1882, Lucy (in her younger years known as ‘Tot’) was only 12 years of age when her family, comprising her Mother, Father and seven siblings went to Raymond Island (Gippsland Lakes).

Four years later at the age of 16 she, and her older brother, (Dale), attended a Young Peoples’ class at the home of a member of the Salvation Army near Paynesville. In early 1902 when aged about 19, she entered the Salvation Army College in Melbourne and after six months training was sent to Western Australia where she worked for five years, mainly in the goldfields area at Mt. Magnet, Cue, Geraldton, North Fremantle, Day Dawn and Menzies. By this time, she had been promoted first to Lieutenant and then, in 1905, to Captain.

In January 1908 she was transferred to the Federal Training Garrison at Melbourne where she remained until 1916. In 1910 she was promoted to Ensign and again in 1913 to Adjutant. Then followed four years working in the statistical department at the Army’s Territorial Headquarters in Sydney, before long being appointed Women’s Side Officer at the Sydney Training College. Promotion to Major followed in 1923 and in 1925 she was selected to attend a special training course in London. (It is likely that, whilst in London, she first met Colonel Alfred Harris who attended a training conference in London in 1925, accompanied by his first wife.^[2] Alfred Harris was later to marry Lucy in 1930.)

The Army’s publication - War Cry - stated “Her fine qualities of character, exceptional teaching ability and deep spirituality were evident to the Army’s leaders at that time, and the General appointed her to the training staff of the International Training College.”

Four years after leaving Australia she returned as a Brigadier to Melbourne to be Women’s Chief Side Officer. In January 1930 she married Colonel Alfred Harris of the Salvation Army, who at that time was Field Secretary for the Southern Territory and whose first wife had died in 1928. At the time of the marriage Lucy was aged 48 and Colonel Harris 61.

Lucy retired as an officer of the Army in 1933 aged 51 and died on 22nd September, 1959 aged nearly 77. Following her death the War Cry of 9th October published her obituary which stated :- “Her gracious personality and love for people gave her opportunities for helping others in spiritual need. Her life’s work has been enhanced by a personal charm and a firm faith in God, and hundreds of women ..... will thank God at this time for her life and work”.

Lucy was buried beside her mother in the Woronora General Cemetery, Sutherland, NSW, (Congregational Monumental Section RR-0027).

Sources

• Peter Knowles. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Peter and others.

• The Mystery of Robert Adolphus (A Garland Family History) by Russ Tyson, published in October 1999 in Mount Waverley.

References

1. ↑ Entered by Peter Knowles, Nov 4, 2012
2. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 20 November, 1925.