Eric Buchanan, who has died aged 81, did not become a Salvation Army officer until his mid-40s, but he soon proved to be a remarkable one. He had risen to a well-paid position in a printing firm but gave up his affluent lifestyle to work in full-time ministry.
The son of a Scottish regular soldier, he left school at 14 and became an apprentice printer. He did his national service in the RAF and met and married Anne, a member of the WRAF. They were soon parted when Eric was sent to Korea where, as a medical orderly, he frequently witnessed death and suffering during the war there.
After leaving the RAF, the couple emigrated to the US. Eric's abilities as a door-to-door salesman and Anne's skills as a dressmaker gave them a good life, and they joined the Salvation Army there. They returned to Britain and Eric worked in printing before both decided to train as full-time Salvation Army officers. They began their ministry at Drumchapel, Glasgow, and continued in Musselburgh, East Lothian, at the time of the 1984-85 miners' strike. Eric and Anne organised food relief for the families of miners and, when they left, were presented with a miner's lamp.
In 1985 they were transferred back to Glasgow, to the deprived area of Easterhouse. When I moved there in 1987, Eric immediately drew me into his crowded and sometimes chaotic youth clubs.
Eric and Anne were often called upon by the homeless and penniless. Eric specialised in helping unemployed heavy drinkers, some of whom settled into a working routine at the shop Sally Seconds, which he and Anne formed in a large warehouse to sell secondhand furniture, clothes and electrical goods.
One year, at a Christmas service, Eric was conducting the carols when he suddenly walked out, leaving a puzzled silence. Later, he explained that he had spotted a needy man at the back door. He had promised the man that, if he came, he would listen to him.
Eric suffered a stroke in 1992 and reluctantly retired. He could be brash and outspoken, but he was loved by many. He is survived by Anne, his son, Andrew, and his grandson, Lucas.