Alice Todd was born on August 12th, 1842, at Exeter, where her father's regiment, the Scots Greys, was stationed. Her parents were both Scottish, her father born 1814, belonging to Berwickshire, and her mother, Elizabeth Weir, being a native of Corstorphine, on the outskirts of Edinburgh. 

The connection with the Army was fairly strong, for in addition to her father, she had two uncles, one on each side of the family, in the Scots' Greys, and her father's father was a member of the Berwickshire Yeomanry (Lothians and Borders Horse) during the Napoleonic Wars.

For the first twelve years of her life, she travelled about with her parents, as the regiment moved every two years from place to place, till about 1853, when her father left the regular Army and settled down at Millbank House (the eighteenth century dower house of the De Burgh family), in Co. Kildare, Ireland, where he had a military appointment.

Home life was singularly happy in such beautiful surroundings, where she lived for some years, happy in the companionship of her three brothers and four sisters, she being the eldest of eight.

Her father was a man of attractive personality, very popular with all creeds and classes, while her mother, broadminded, great hearted, and immensely capable, was truly a “mother in Isreal”. They were a remarkably well‑matched and devoted couple, and both were deeply religious.

During a time of religious revival in the village nearby, Alice was truly converted, and from that time there came a new driving force into her life.

In travelling with her parents, she had seen much of military life, and realised something of the difficulties and temptations that beset the soldier. In those days there was little of recreation for him in his leisure hours, except the barracks "wet" canteen. She saw fine young fellows going downhill through strong drink, and she was determined to help them.

She herself having experienced the "new birth" - the birth of the soul, when about the age of 16 - knew that the power of God in a man's life was sufficient to lift him from any depths and enable him to live a pure, happy, joyous, godly life.

At the death of her father she settled in Glasgow with her mother, took a business post, and in her spare time commenced to visit the old barracks in the Gallowgate. Out of her own money she purchased the tracts for distribution in the barrack room, and soon the soldiers began to wait for her, having prepared one of their rooms by putting a blanket neatly folded at the end of their trestle table to form a pulpit, as they laughingly told her.

In due course some became anxious about their souls, and she had the joy of leading many to Christ. The victims of strong drink, too, were seeking deliverance, and they asked her to try and find a room outside the barracks where they could come and spend their evenings, and be away from the temptations around them.

She earnestly prayed about the matter and in answer, God moved in the heart of Mrs. Allen, of the Allen Shipping Line who, having heard of her work, invited her to come and see her, and provided the necessary funds for the first Home. A house of three apartments was rented, not far from the barracks. One room served for recreation, chess, draughts, etc., one for Bible study and prayer meetings, and the other for a quiet room for reading, writing letters, and on this basis all the 'Soldiers' Homes' have been planned.

In foreign countries refreshments can only be got in bars where strong drink is sold, so the 'Homes' provide refreshments for the soldier in safe surroundings. In these foreign countries the traps, snares and temptations set for the unwary are appalling; and it is to these countries our boys are sent, many of them from good Christian homes, and some who perhaps never had much of a chance in life.  

When the soldiers were moved from the old Gallowgate barracks to the new barracks at Maryhill, a 'Soldiers' Home' was urgently required. Mrs. Osborne had keen business instincts, and saw a corner shop opposite the barracks which might easily become a public house. She prayed for guidance and the funds necessary and secured the shop. It was converted into a 'Soldiers' Home', and comfortable quarters provided for additional workers, as the work had now grown beyond the capacity of one worker. The well‑managed refreshment room attracted large numbers of soldiers, and there were large meetings and great blessing followed. Meetings, too, were commenced for the soldiers' wives and many were truly brought to Christ.

Registered Scottish Charity Number:-    SC 005038

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Last Updated:-    May 2005