Elsie Elma Grove

GEDCOM Note

Brigadier Elsie Elma Grove (nee Lavis) was born in Auckland on 29 April 1904. In 1919 at the age of fifteen she was soundly converted at a Mission Hall in Auckland. In 1922 she was invited to attend an afternoon Praise meeting at the Newton Corp. and immediately she knew this was Gods calling for her future life.

In 1925 she became enrolled as a Senior officer and following a period of Local officership Elsie entered the training garrison in 1928 in the Excelsior session and was commissioned in 1929. Her first appointment was at Palmerston South and then followed appointments at Herbert, Kaitangata, Waitara, Taihape, Terrace End, Te Kuiti, Brooklyn, Hawera, Waihi, Petone, Te Aroha and Eltham - 13 appointments in all. The Brigadier also served in nine social appointments including Wellington Samaritan, Cecilia Whatman Home, Pro Tem Men’s Home at Walliceville, Putaruru Boys Home and the Hodderville Williams Home, the Auckland Samaritan and Sub Matron of Ruth Lodge which was a joint appointment.

Brigadier was also Matron of the Paulina Home in Wellington and the View Road Resthaven in Auckland. Her final appointment from which she retire in 1964 was at the Mercy Jenkin Eventide Home.

In retirement Elsie Lavis served as President of the Retired Officers Fellowship for five years, then three years as Secretary; also for a period as Birthday Sergeant.

When it was not possible to appoint officers to the Sandringham Corp it was oversighted by the brigadier and Brig. Brooks (R) and so it was able to remain open. Brig. Lavis also served as Divisional League of Mercy Secretary (Auckland Division) for a period. Her name was mentioned in the "Who’se Who" of the Officer magazine.. for 26 years service to the Home League her name was placed on the Honours Roll.

In 1970 the Brigadier married Alfred George Grove who had served as a Commissioned Officer for 20 years and at the time of their marriage was a faithful Soldier and Local Officer of the Eden Corp. Envoy Grove was promoted to Glory on 17 July 1974.

The Eden and Sandringham Corp became joint Corp and reverted to the original name of Edendale and Brigadier Elsie grove worshipped there until her promotion to Glory.