From Afghanistan to Glasgow for Captain Amy-Jo
published on 7 Nov 2025
Salvation Army church leader Captain Amy-Jo Battersby will lead this year’s Remembrance service in the east end of Glasgow.
A former soldier and veteran of Afghanistan, Amy-Jo brings military grade resilience and leadership skills to her ministry in Parkhead and Dennistoun, underpinned by compassion, love and a commitment to meet the needs of people living in two of the city’s most diverse communities.
She describes being asked to lead the Remembrance Service on Saturday November 8 as an honour, with the event acting as a reminder of the sacrifices made in war zones around the world, including Afghanistan.
Amy-Jo said: "Our communities here in the east end of Glasgow include military veterans, new Scots, families and people of different faiths, denominations and backgrounds. The service on Saturday is about remembering all those who lost their lives in defence of what they believed, regardless of their background or nationality. I hope it will be an occasion where all local people feel welcome to join in grateful thanks for those who made the ultimate sacrifice."
It was in Afghanistan while guarding prisoners that Amy-Jo first experienced a sense of her calling to work for a better world, adding:
“I felt there was just so much hurt in the world, I just wanted to put a bit more love back in. I had a rough few years as a teenager and The Salvation Army looked after me. Amazing people who just kept me right and I never forgot that.
“As a church leader, there is a lot of good I have taken from the military and some stuff I have left behind. However, some of my drive and determination comes from my service, for sure.”
Amy-Jo represented The Salvation Army at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York earlier in 2025. Speaking on empowering women and the role of men in those conversations, on her return she helped to set up a men’s space at her church in Parkhead.
This year’s Remembrance Service in the east end of Glasgow will take place from 10.30am at the Dennistoun Stone of Remembrance, Alexandra Park, Dennistoun.