Monday, May 22nd : The final day of the tour commenced with the longest journey - over the great dam separating the North Sea and the Zuider Zee, and the bandsmen were glad of the opportunity to express their thanks to Major Hoevers, whose excellent organisation and genial personality had added greatly to the effectiveness of the campaign, and the coach driver, who spoke of the impression for good which the men had imparted.
On arrival in Amsterdam the bandsmen were the guests of the Territorial Commander. The Belle Vue, a hall seating 1,500 people, was crowded for the afternoon festival, the congregation proving to be among the most enthusiastic of the tour. For the final meeting the band was privileged to take part in the commissioning of the cadets of the 'Soldiers of Christ' Session in the famous Concertgebouw. Pieces played were Army of God and Constant Trust.
The Juliana Church, which was the venue for the evening's programme, possesses a fine organ and the bandsmen appreciated the organist's gesture in agreeing to play for them.
The tour completed, the Boscombe bandsmen left in the early morning rush hour for Schipol Airport. They appreciated the fact that Lt. Commissioner Palstra, Colonel Holland and Lt. Colonel Philip van Dalen (Field Secretary) were there to bid them farewell. Many memories of the ten-day campaign remain: those members of the band who took part in the previous visit to the Netherlands in 1947 noted the wonderful recovery made by the people of the country since then, a tribute to their tenacity and technical ability.
These qualities are reflected in the Salvationists, whose hospitality and kindness were so generously given to their British comrades. The morning devotional periods, held while travelling to appointments, were times of rich blessing and a deep sense of gratitude results from the fact that four of the five seekers during the initial weekend's activities were new to the Army.
Soon after their return, the Air Safaris' "Viking" aircraft in which they had flown was to he seen in a local scrapyard, where it had been purchased for £100 following the demise of the airline.
