Percy Merritt
From Sawiki
Percy Frederick Merritt was born January 25, 1899, in Petersfield, England, and emigrated to Canada in 1911. One of nine children, Percy and his family augmented the large musical forces of the "Mother Corps of the West" - Winnipeg Citadel. As one of its earliest Y.P. bandsmen, he was soon called into the senior band through serious depletion during the First World War, developing as a euphonium soloist along with his musical brothers, Colonel James, Henry, Bill and Captain Ben, who all assumed leadership in Army circles in Canada and the U.S.A.
In 1922, Percy met Jean Armstrong, a girl guard, songster and Sunday school teacher at Winnipeg Citadel. They were married in 1924. In August of that year, Percy visited Toronto as euphonium soloist with the famous Winnipeg Citadel Band of that era. It was to become the only Salvation Army band to officially open the annual Canadian National Exhibition. Later, while touring Canada and the United States, he helped produce one of the Army's first classic band recordings in Canada.
During these years Percy also achieved fame as a composer/arranger of many popular marches and selections, including "Winnipeg Citadel", "The Golden West", "Dovercourt Citadel", "Sword and Shield" and the Fantasia "Sunshine". As songster leader, his male-voice arrangements of "The Lord's Prayer" and "Onward, Christian Soldiers" still remain in vogue, as his high standard in this vocal field is vividly recalled. It was also in these decades he gave many periods of leadership in the first music camps in both Western and Eastern Canada.
Moving to Toronto in 1939, Percy became a member of Dovercourt Citadel Band, serving in similar leadership capacities until becoming the Territorial Band Inspector. In this appointment he gave unstintingly of his talent in building up post-war banding throughout the territory. This was followed by a period of leadership in the composite band formed for the production of the then Major Arnold Brown's renowned radio series "This Is My Story".
"Perce" Merritt, as he was affectionately known, compiled an outstanding record of service for God and The Salvation Army that will be greatfully remembered by the Army's whole musical world. Although he officially retired in 1961, his maintained his interest and involvement in Salvation Army music at the new Etobicoke Temple Corps, where he eventually retired as deputy bandmaster. He also assisted in the Toronto Public Relations Department.
Deputy Bandmaster Percy Frederick Merritt (Retired) was promoted to Glory on August 29, 1974 at the age of 75.
