Captain Allan Smith

Charles Allan Smith was a former officer in The Salvation Army serving in its Southern Territory. He was born in 1931 and before joining The Salvation Army he worked as a trained baker. He joined the organisation in 1961 and his records show that he served at the following institutions/locations:

  • Swan Hill, Victoria (1963 to 1964);

  • Kellerberrin, W.A (1964 to 1965);

  • Willagee, W.A (1965)

  • Nedlands, W. A (1965 to 1966);

  • Seaforth, W.A (1979 to 1982);

  • The Open Door Rehabillitation Hostel, W.A (1982 to 1986);

  • ‘The Alichorages’, W.A - (1986 to 1990); and

  • Launceston Home College and Training Posts, Tasmania (1990).

It is reported that Captain Smith had sexually assaulted children under his care during his time with The Salvation Army but was allowed to continue with the organisation for a long period of time. In Case Study 33 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - “ The response of The Salvation Army (Southern Territory) to allegations of child sexual abuse at children’s homes that it operated” - the Royal Commission reported the following about Captain Smith:

  • The Salvation Army had received complaints in 1964 and 1965 about Captain Smith’s indecent behaviour with a child but refused to remove him from the Officer’s Roll and instead transferred him to Nedlands Boys’ Home (later known as Hollywood Children’s Village) in Nedlands, Western Australia. At the home he was subsequently placed in a position of authority and trust over children; and

  • Furthermore, in 1974, Captain Smith pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault on children and was dismissed or resigned (the facts are not clear on his appointment card), but he was accepted back into The Salvation Army as an envoy in 1979 and was then promoted to Captain in 1980.

In short, the Royal Commission noted that the The Salvation Army defeated one of the purposes of its own Orders and Regulations – namely, to protect children in its care.

Allegations of inappropriate conduct with a child in 1985

Captain Smith was positioned at the Open Door Rehabilitation Hostel Perth, Western Australia from 13 January 1982 until 16 January 1986. The hostel was managed by The Salvation Army and it provided services for persons who suffered from alcoholism. The hostel’s manager, Major Russell Adams, received a report that Captain Smith had made ‘homosexual advances’ to a 16-year-old boy who had been referred to the hostel.

Arrest in 1996

In April 1996, Captain Smith was arrested by Western Australia Police in relation to sexually assaulting a minor. In May 1996, The Salvation Army suspended his officership. The following year he was charged with the following:

  • 46 charges of indecent dealing with a child under 14 years;

  • 16 charges of indecent assault of a male;

  • one charge of permitting carnal knowledge against the order of nature;

  • nine charges of carnal knowledge against the order of nature; and

  • four charges of gross indecency.

Mr Smith pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. On April 1997, he was dismissed from The Salvation Army. He went on to serve less than eight years of his 15-year sentence and was released from prison in 2005.

Moody Law has in the past and is still representing clients who have made allegations of sexual and physical abuse against members of The Salvation Army at various institutions around Australia.

We invite former victims to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.