Known as the officer (pastor) who refused to leave his post in the face of looming danger, Herbert was twice a prisoner of war. He was first incarcerated during World War II in the infamous Changi Prison Camp in Singapore. During the Korean War, he was imprisoned in North Korea. 

Then-Lt. Colonel Herbert Lord, the officer in command of The Salvation Army’s work in Malaysia when the country fell to Japan, was incarcerated in Changi. As an inmate, he served as a welfare officer for the camp, working alongside other imprisoned Salvationists. There, Salvationists set up their own corps (church) within the camp. They made a flag and a crest for their makeshift corps, and they copied by hand songs from an issue of “The Musical Salvationist.” The Salvationist prisoners also started their own magazine, “The Liberator.” 

Two years after being released from Changi, Herbert was appointed territorial commander of The Salvation Army in Korea on January 1, 1947. South Korea was invaded by the North Korean People’s Army in June 1950, when Herbert was confined for the second time. Prior to Herbert’s interments, The Salvation Army repatriated his wife, Margaret, to Australia (1942) and England (1945 and 1950). Sadly, of their five sons, the second oldest, William, died in enemy hands in Singapore sometime between 1944 and 1945. 

Five years later, from June 1950 through July 1953, war again tore Korea apart. Korean Salvationists were targeted and suffered greatly; one officer, one corps sergeant-major and five other Salvationists were martyred. 

Captain Huh, the administrator of the Seoul Boys’ Home at the outbreak of the Korean War, remained at his post. He cared for over 200 orphans, including members of the popular Boys’ Brass Band. On August 17, 1950, the North Korea military bolted into the Boys’ Home, rounding up all band members who were forced play music on the infamous “death march” to North Korea. Herbert was with the Boys’ Band and other Salvationists throughout the march from South Korea to North Korea. Herbert received multiple honors throughout his illustrious life, notably receiving the Order of the British Empire in 1941 and the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1946. Herbert and Margaret Lord retired on December 31, 1959. They remained active in speaking engagements within and outside The Salvation Army throughout their decade of retirement. Margaret died in January 1971. Four months later, April 13, 1971, Commissioner Herbert Lord joined his wife in eternal peace.

So What?

Are you committed enough to your faith in Christ to make courageous choices and persevere, even when facing fear?