Dinsdale Pender
From Sawiki
Born to officer parents on 22 March 1932, the Commissioner spent his early years moving from place to place as his parents’ appointments took them to various parts of the country. Following two years of National Service in the Royal Air Force he farewelled from his home corps of Bradford Temple and entered the William Booth Memorial Training College in London as a cadet in the ‘Heralds’ session in 1952. He remained at the college to serve as Assistant Sergeant Major for the next session. It was during this time that he met Winifred Dale, who entered the college in 1953 from Godmanchester Corps. They were married in 1955. Their following 20 years of corps officership included the leadership of such corps as Manchester Star Hall, Bath City, Coventry City and Wood Green.
Dinsdale Pender revelled in his years as a corps officer, when preparation for his platform ministry came high on his agenda and brought him much satisfaction. Fulfilling the role of pastor, preacher and administrator went hand in hand with his leisure pursuits of enjoying many kinds of music. A gifted musician, his ability to play the piano well was useful throughout his officership. He also had a keen interest in sport, being a keen Manchester United supporter! Those years of corps officership were followed by four years in leadership of the Northern Division and three years at National Headquarters in London as Assistant Field Secretary.
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Overseas Appointments
There then came the Penders’ first appointment outside the United Kingdom when, in January 1980, they were appointed to the New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory, where the then Lieut-Colonel Dinsdale Pender became the Chief Secretary. After two years in this role a similar appointment in the Southern Africa Territory for a further two years preceded his appointment as Territorial Commander of that territory in January 1984. One of the most significant events of his leadership of that territory was his decision to unify the two separate training colleges for black and white cadets – a significant move given the political climate at that time.
Return to the UK
Appointed Territorial Commander of the Scotland Territory in August 1986 he was in command of the territory at the time of the Lockerbie air disaster. He supervised a huge round-the-clock relief operation with teams of 200 workers engaged in counseling relatives and the bereaved who arrived from around the world. Support was provided for the teams of emergency workers whose task was to retrieve the human debris. Five feeding stations were established for these relief workers.
Further Overseas Commands
After a short appointment at International Headquarters, when he was co-opted to help the Chief of the Staff reorganise International Headquarters following the establishing of the United Kingdom Territory, the Penders returned to the southern hemisphere as the leaders of the Australia Southern Territory. They returned to the United Kingdom as leaders of the United Kingdom Territory in May 1993, retiring from active service on 1 April 1997.
Character
Commissioner Dinsdale Pender was blessed with an abundance of cheerfulness and energy, both spiritual and physical. He always gave a strong lead in all his undertakings, always preferring to be ‘in the thick of the battle’ rather than directing troops from some distant command post. Many people have been inspired by his leadership and his example. A man of God who revelled in his work in extending God’s Kingdom on earth.
The Commissioner was promoted to Glory in early December 2006.
