Promoted to Glory

12 July 2013

Commissioner Alistair Cairns, aged 96 years and 6 months, was Promoted to Glory on  3 July 2013.   Commissioner Alistair Cairns was the father of Merrillyn, Lt Colonel Christine Rees (Pastoral Care & Officer Well Being Team) and Howard.

Out of West End Corps, Alistair Cairns entered the 'Crusader' Session in March 1941.  Following his commissioning in 1942, Alistair completed appointments as the Corps Officer at Parkes and Bankstown Corps, then Training Officer at Officer Training School before marrying Captain Margery Birkett on 3 February 1945.

 With Margery, they served as Officers for 41 years and 11 months in various appointments including Divisional Young Peoples Secretary. Goulburn Boy's Home, Ryde Corps, Rockhampton Corps, Sydney Congress Hall, Divisional Youth Secretary, Men's Chief Side Officer at the

Commissioner Alistair Cairns, aged 96 years 6 months, was Promoted to Glory on 3 July 2013. Commissioner Alistair was the father of Merilyn, Lt Colonel Christine Rees (Pastoral Care & Officer Well-Being Team) and Howard, the grandfather of Lieutenant Kylie Herring (Coolum Mission), Anthony Rees (previously served as an Officer) and Gareth (Carindale Corps), the uncle of Lt Colonel Philip Cairns (ACT & South NSW Division) and the great uncle of Matt Cairns (Booth College) and Envoy Lucas Cairns (Newcastle & Central NSW Division).

Out of West End Corps, Alistair Cairns entered the ‘Crusader’ session in March 1941. Following his commissioning in January 1942, Alistair completed appointments as the Corps Officer of Parkes and Bankstown Corps, then Training Officer at the Officer Training School before marrying Captain Margery Birkett on 3 February 1945.

With Margery, Alistair served for 41 years 11 months in various appointments including Divisional Young Peoples’ Secretary, Goulburn Boys’ Home, Ryde Corps, Rockhampton Corps, Sydney Congress Hall, Divisional Youth Secretary, Men’s Chief Side Officer at The Officer Training College, Divisional Commanders Bathurst Division, Divisional Commanders Goulburn Division and in 1966, as the Australia Eastern Territory’s Territorial Evangelists, followed by Divisional Commanders of South Queensland Division.

As Lt Colonels and then Colonels, they were appointed

as the Men’s Chief Side Officers at the International College for Officers before taking up their appointment as Chief Secretary of Korea Territory. On their return to Australia, Alistair and Margery served their home Territory as Chief Secretary prior to commencing their last appointment as Territorial Commanders of Southern Africa Territory for 4½ years.

Commissioners Alistair and Margery Cairns retired on 1 December 1983 and Alistair served his Lord as a Salvation Army Officer for a total of 71 years and 6 months. His beloved wife, Margery was Promoted to Glory on 7 August 2006.

Commissioner Alistair Cairns will be remembered as an approachable, highly respected and exemplary spirit-filled man with strong leadership ability and sound judgment. He believed in caring for his physical body (a temple where God dwells) and daily exercised and commenced each day in prayer, reading the Scriptures and in quietness with God.

The funeral service for Commissioner Alistair Cairns was held at The Salvation Army Bundamba on 9 July, conducted by Lt Colonel David Rees.

We extend our love and sympathy to family and their extended families and our continued prayer support.