Table of Contents
Bramwell Booth
Colonel Ian William Bramwell Booth.
| Colonel Bramwell Booth | |
|---|---|
| Rank | Colonel |
| Death Date | December 16, 2025 |
| Relations | Booth Family |
Blue Plaque Unveiled to Founder of The Salvation Army in Spalding
Our Founder, a pioneering social-reformer and evangelist was honoured when the latest heritage blue plaque was unveiled on Saturday 17 October 2015 in Spalding at 12.30 pm.
The latest blue plaque – which recognises a person of historical significance - is the fifth in the series and honoured William Booth, our co-founder, as we celebrate our 150th year.
The plaque will mark the site on Bridge Street, Spalding, where Booth lodged – the dwelling is now a Boots Opticians - during his early ministry as a Methodist circuit preacher. He later moved to London’s East End, where he abandoned the conventional concept of church and took the Christian message to the Victorian slums – supporting his Christian ministry with a practical response to the need and poverty he encountered.
Booth’s great-grandson, Colonel Bramwell Booth, 86, conducted the official unveiling ceremony.
Colonel Booth said: ‘It is wonderful, and particularly poignant, that in the year The Salvation Army celebrates its 150th anniversary and commences official work in its 127th country, my great-grandfather’s legacy is being officially recognised in Spalding.
‘I am proud of what The Salvation Army does as a church, animated by a spirit of love and compassion, actively supporting those who need practical help, a warm welcome or a listening ear and I pray long may it continue this valuable ministry to those who most need it.’
Spalding and District Civic Society planning officer John Charlesworth said: ‘The blue plaques are just one aspect of the civic society’s efforts to protect and preserve all that is best in our local heritage and encourage quality in the new.
‘While William Booth was born in Nottingham and began his pioneering work in London’s East End, it is fitting that we mark his time in Spalding and recognise the contribution of The Salvation Army to people across the world when they need help most.’
Two donors, one of whom is Kevin Pallister (Managing Partner, Calthrops Solicitors), paid for the plaque to be purchased and installed.
The unveiling ceremony took place outside Boots Opticians shop – the former site of Booth’s lodgings – on 16-17 Bridge Street, Spalding PE11 1XA at 12.30 pm. A brass ensemble from nearby Boston Salvation Army church provided music.
'The Founder's Clock' Given New Home at International Headquarters
A mantel clock that was given to William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army, in 1866 was presented to General Brian Peddle at International Headquarters (IHQ) in London on 8 June 2022. The clock has been in the keeping of the Booth family for more than 156 years and Colonel Bramwell Booth – the Founder’s great-grandson – told the General that ‘the time has come for it to enter the wider confines of the Army’.
Presenting the General with the key to the clock, Colonel Booth said: ‘We are grateful to know that you have willingly undertaken to both care for and share the Founder’s clock.’ He also revealed that he is almost certainly unique in having met all but one of The Salvation Army’s 21 Generals, going back to his grandfather, who was also called Bramwell Booth.
An inscribed brass plate on the front of the clock explains that it was given to ‘the Rev William Booth’ on 2 July 1866 by ‘members and friends of the East London Christian Revival Society in commemoration of his first anniversary in London’. As this society’s mission spread, it took the name The Christian Mission before it was renamed The Salvation Army in 1878. The second of July is now known as ‘Founders’ Day’, commemorating the occasion in 1865 when William and Catherine Booth began an evangelistic ministry that has now reached 132 countries.
For many years the Founder’s clock has not kept good time, so Colonel Bramwell arranged for it to be refurbished by Mike Holwell, a graduate of the British Horological Institute. Mike took the clock apart and thoroughly cleaned and restored it both inside and out. Today it looks as good as when it was first presented to William Booth more than one-and-a-half centuries ago.
The Founder’s clock will be housed in the General’s offices at IHQ, where visitors can be inspired by a piece of Salvation Army history. ‘We want to give you and your family a very heartfelt thank you,’ the General told Colonels Bramwell and Ruth Booth, ‘for caring for this clock for so long.’ He explained the personal sense of connectivity he felt to his predecessors and assured Colonel Booth that having an object at IHQ that belonged to the Founder would only strengthen that feeling. Offering words of prayer, he said: ‘We thank you, Lord, for this reminder of your faithfulness and continual blessing. The clock will remind us that you have been with us across time.’
Two members of William Booth’s family who work at IHQ were present for the ceremony. Lieut-Colonel Anne-Florence Tursi (Administration) is Bramwell’s niece and Laura Booth (Literary and Editorial) attended with her husband Adrien Booth, a great-great-great-grandson of the Founder.