The death has been announced of Lieut-Colonel Norman Bearcroft, one of the great figures of Salvation Army music making.

He passed away aged 94 at home in New Jersey USA

Hugely respected

Born in January 1926, in Wallsend-on-Tyne, Northumberland, he became a hugely respected Salvation Army (SA) officer and served as Bandmaster of the Canadian Staff Band, and the Salvation Army's National Music Secretary in the United Kingdom.

He was founder of both the International Staff Songsters and the Canadian Staff Band of the Salvation Army.

With over 180 published works across band and vocal journals he was regarded as one of the Salvation Army's most prolific and respected composers.