Hercule Poirot and the Salvation Army Part 4

On our first trip to London, my wife and I stopped by Florin Court. It's a beautiful building familiar to viewers of Agatha Christie's Poirot as Whitehaven Mansions, the home of Hercule Poirot. My wife and I had a wonderful time strolling around the building and the scenic park across the street, and then continued our adventures elsewhere.

On our return to the city two years later, we toured other areas of London, took a river taxi along the Thames, and finally walked across the Millennium Bridge on our way to the historic St. Paul's Cathedral. It was a cold, blustery day, and my wife saw a sign for a tea room inside the glass-walled building to our right. 

So we entered, walked downstairs, and enjoyed hot tea and a scone in the cafeteria of the Salvation Army International Headquarters. No one preached to us, but we saw lots of industrious-looking folks, savored their delicious food, and perused their pamphlets. It was a nice place to get out of the cold and the wind, and recharge our batteries before continuing our wanderings.

Although we didn't realize it at the time, the Salvation Army International Headquarters is less than a mile away from Whitehaven Mansions. Founded in London in 1865, the religious movement had spread all over the world by the 1930s. Had they felt the need, officers at the London headquarters could have called on Hercule Poirot to investigate missing funds, personnel, or even a murder. 

At the very least, our favorite Belgian detective could have stopped there on a cold, blustery day, if he wanted a hot drink and a scone.

Dragon Dave

Hercule Poirot and the Salvation Army Part 3

In the Agatha Christie's Poirot episode "The Adventure of the Clapham Cook," while the man from the Salvation Army preaches to the crowd, a female volunteer stands beside him. We don't see her preach. Still, she's there, representing how important women were to the movement.

Perhaps she even held rank in the Salvation Army. At a time women weren't allowed to hold substantial roles in England's police or military, the Salvation Army didn't discriminate against the sexes. All were welcome to serve, and hold positions of respect and authority. 

Men may have dominated British society in the 1930s. Still, Agatha Christie, and the production team, subtly demonstrate the importance of women. Mrs. Todd alerts Hercule Poirot to a mystery in need of solving, while Mr. Todd attempts to shut down Poirot's investigation. Annie the parlor maid readily gives Poirot helpful advice, while the luggage attendant at the train station clashes with Captain Hastings, and must be coaxed into giving Poirot a misleading clue. Miss Lemon organizes and runs the day-to-day aspects of Poirot's business, while Inspector Japp dismisses Poirot's efforts until the logic underlying Poirot's arguments finally overwhelm him.

And what is the story about? A male bank clerk who, while committing theft and murder in order to get an easy life, must spirit away the hardworking cook Eliza Dunn!

The British sitcom Hallelujah demonstrates the importance of women in 1980s society. Played by the redoubtable Thora Hird, Captain Emily Ridley defies her male superiors in the Salvation Army, and refuses to retire after her forty years of service. So they send her off to a failed mission in a small Yorkshire town. Through her tenacious ministry, and the aid of her niece and another female volunteer, she revitalizes the Salvation Army's presence there, and helps bring meaning and substance to the locals' lives.

Hercule Poirot might not attend many of Emily Ridley's meetings, but I'm sure he would approve of her.

Dragon Dave