Clarence Wiseman
Encyclopedia
Clarence Dexter Wiseman, (June 19, 1907 – May 4, 1985) was the tenth General of The Salvation Army
from 1974 to 1977.
Clarence Dexter Wiseman was born at Moretons Harbour, Colony of Newfoundland on June 19, 1907. Being the son of Salvation Army
officers, he moved frequently from one home to another as his parents postings necessitated.
At the age of nineteen Clarence became a cadet at The Salvation Army’s Training College in Toronto
, and was commissioned as an officer on July 4, 1927 with the rank of lieutenant. His first appointment was to Bedford Park Corps (Toronto). Six months later he was transferred to Yorkville Corps, Toronto, both appointments being as assistant to the commanding officer.
On January 29, 1932 the then Captain Wiseman was married to Captain Janet Kelly. He was then on the staff of the editorial department at Territorial Headquarters but soon after their marriage Captain and Mrs Wiseman were appointed to London
South Corps and continued to work in corps appointments until mid 1940.
Captain Wiseman was then seconded to the Canadian Forces and appointed as chaplain to the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Engineers. At the time the battalion was involved in training exercises just north of Toronto, but were soon drafted to Great Britain. Clarence and Janet Wiseman were parted for five years. After two years as chaplain, Clarence Wiseman received orders to resign his military commission, and was appointed as senior representative for The Salvation Army Canadian War Services, with headquarters in Cockspur Street, just off Trafalgar Square
.
When the war ended in June 1945, Clarence Wiseman returned to Canada and after a brief furlough he and Mrs Wiseman were appointed as leaders of the Army’s work in Newfoundland where they served for more than eight years.
At the beginning of 1954 the Wisemans returned to Toronto where the now Colonel Wiseman was appointed field secretary for the Canada
and Bermuda
Territory. Three years later he was appointed chief secretary, second in command of The Salvation Army’s forces in Canada and Bermuda.
Early in 1960 came the first overseas appointment for Clarence and Janet Wiseman. With the rank of lieutenant-commissioner they journeyed to Kenya
where Clarence Wiseman served as territorial commander for the East Africa
Territory. Two years later the Wisemans set sail for England where Commissioner Wiseman was appointed principal of The William Booth Memorial Training College, a post he held for the next five years.
In 1967 Canada celebrated its centenary, and that year Clarence Wiseman was appointed territorial commander for the Canada and Bermuda Territory, - the first Canadian to hold the office.
In 1974 the eighth High Council
nominated Commissioner Wiseman as a candidate for the generalship, the second time he had been nominated. He was duly elected to serve as the tenth general of The Salvation Army, taking command on July 6, 1974. Coming to the office at the age of 67, General Wiseman was only to have three years as the international leader as the retirement age was then 70. However, during his term in office he travelled the world extensively and Army work was opened for the first time in Guatemala
and Spain
. In 1976 General Wiseman was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada
, one of the country's highest honours, for his services to humanity.
General Wiseman retired from active service on July 4, 1976 to be succeeded by his fellow countryman, General Arnold Brown. His nine years in retirement were filled with evangelical campaigns throughout North America and overseas.
General Wiseman died at his home in Scarborough, Ontario
on May 4, 1985 and his wife followed him on May 25, 1993.
In 1976, he was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada
"for his life-long dedication in the service of the Army and his inspiring leadership at home and abroad". http://www.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=2371
Generals of The Salvation Army
thumbnail|left|1st General, William BoothGeneral is the title of the international leader of The Salvation Army, a Christian denomination with extensive charitable social services that gives quasi-military rank to its ministers .Usage of the term General began with the Founder of The Salvation...
from 1974 to 1977.
Clarence Dexter Wiseman was born at Moretons Harbour, Colony of Newfoundland on June 19, 1907. Being the son of Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
officers, he moved frequently from one home to another as his parents postings necessitated.
At the age of nineteen Clarence became a cadet at The Salvation Army’s Training College in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, and was commissioned as an officer on July 4, 1927 with the rank of lieutenant. His first appointment was to Bedford Park Corps (Toronto). Six months later he was transferred to Yorkville Corps, Toronto, both appointments being as assistant to the commanding officer.
On January 29, 1932 the then Captain Wiseman was married to Captain Janet Kelly. He was then on the staff of the editorial department at Territorial Headquarters but soon after their marriage Captain and Mrs Wiseman were appointed to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
South Corps and continued to work in corps appointments until mid 1940.
Captain Wiseman was then seconded to the Canadian Forces and appointed as chaplain to the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Engineers. At the time the battalion was involved in training exercises just north of Toronto, but were soon drafted to Great Britain. Clarence and Janet Wiseman were parted for five years. After two years as chaplain, Clarence Wiseman received orders to resign his military commission, and was appointed as senior representative for The Salvation Army Canadian War Services, with headquarters in Cockspur Street, just off Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
.
When the war ended in June 1945, Clarence Wiseman returned to Canada and after a brief furlough he and Mrs Wiseman were appointed as leaders of the Army’s work in Newfoundland where they served for more than eight years.
At the beginning of 1954 the Wisemans returned to Toronto where the now Colonel Wiseman was appointed field secretary for the Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
Territory. Three years later he was appointed chief secretary, second in command of The Salvation Army’s forces in Canada and Bermuda.
Early in 1960 came the first overseas appointment for Clarence and Janet Wiseman. With the rank of lieutenant-commissioner they journeyed to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
where Clarence Wiseman served as territorial commander for the East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
Territory. Two years later the Wisemans set sail for England where Commissioner Wiseman was appointed principal of The William Booth Memorial Training College, a post he held for the next five years.
In 1967 Canada celebrated its centenary, and that year Clarence Wiseman was appointed territorial commander for the Canada and Bermuda Territory, - the first Canadian to hold the office.
In 1974 the eighth High Council
High Council of The Salvation Army
The High Council of The Salvation Army elects a new General in the event of a vacancy or prior to the retirement of the existing office holder. It can also remove a General who can no longer fulfil their duties. It is made up of the Chief of the Staff, all active Commissioners except the spouse of...
nominated Commissioner Wiseman as a candidate for the generalship, the second time he had been nominated. He was duly elected to serve as the tenth general of The Salvation Army, taking command on July 6, 1974. Coming to the office at the age of 67, General Wiseman was only to have three years as the international leader as the retirement age was then 70. However, during his term in office he travelled the world extensively and Army work was opened for the first time in Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. In 1976 General Wiseman was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, one of the country's highest honours, for his services to humanity.
General Wiseman retired from active service on July 4, 1976 to be succeeded by his fellow countryman, General Arnold Brown. His nine years in retirement were filled with evangelical campaigns throughout North America and overseas.
General Wiseman died at his home in Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
on May 4, 1985 and his wife followed him on May 25, 1993.
In 1976, he was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
"for his life-long dedication in the service of the Army and his inspiring leadership at home and abroad". http://www.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=2371