The First 100 Years of the Uniform

Since The Salvation Army first arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1883, its uniform has been a visible sign of mission across the territory. While the uniform has changed, its meaning remains the same.

1. A hand-embroidered Salvation Army crest on a red guernsey; 2. Major George and Mrs Alice Pollard, 1883; 3. Salvationist from Gisborne c.1895, wearing S’s, shield badge and bonnet; 4. Thomas Sharp wearing Newton Corps band’s formal uniform, 1906; 5. Salvationist wearing crested guernsey, shield badge, tri-colour ribbon and ‘S’ badges; 6. Brigadiers Norman and Grace Brown c.1950s, featuring high-neck collar and bonnet; 7. Captains Rex and Geraldine Johnson about to head off to serve in Papua New Guinea, c.1978; 8. Captains Valda and John Beverley, c.1970’s.

In the beginning, there were no firm regulations about uniform wearing in the New Zealand Territory. The wearing of uniforms by soldiers was ad hoc and by no means required, though encouraged. Wearing tidy, sombre clothes with a Salvation Army shield or tri-colour ribbon seemed to be acceptable. The symbolism of ‘The Salvation Army’ was more important than the cloth.

The iconic women’s bonnet—introduced in 1880—and the cap were both practical and symbolic parts of the uniform, useful for the public in identifying members of The Salvation Army.

Across the twentieth century, the uniform transitioned further. The bonnet was eventually phased out, and the high-collared tunics switched to more functional, open-neck jackets.

Information from Salvation Army Uniform Portraits: New Zealand 1883–1913 by the Heritage and Archives Centre.