But the very struggles against depression and to cheer others, together with the sleeplessness that resulted took from his little remaining strength, and it became evident that he was gradually sinking.

Yet he was so remarkably cheerful and at times even confident that all around him were kept hoping up to the very last.
To a group of Commissioners who visited him he said:-- "I am hoping speedily to be able to talk to Officers and help them all over the world.

I am still hoping to go to America and Canada as I had bargained for.

I am hoping for several things whether they come to pass or not." But on Tuesday, the 20th August, it became evident that the end was very near.

There gathered around his bed Mr.and Mrs.Bramwell Booth, Mrs.
Commissioner Booth-Hellberg, Commissioner Howard, who had been summoned by telegram from his furlough, Colonel Kitching, Brigadier Cox, Adjutant Catherine Booth, Sergeant Bernard Booth, Captain Taylor, his last Assistant Secretary, Nurse Ada Timson of the London Hospital, and Captain Amelia Hill, his housekeeper.
The heart showed no sign of failure until within half an hour of his death, and the feet remained warm till within twenty minutes of the event.