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Aug. 18, 1931–Nov. 2, 2019
General Bramwell H. Tillsley (Ret.), The Salvation Army’s 14th international leader, was promoted to Glory on Nov. 2 from his home at the Army’s Meighen Retirement Residence in Toronto.
Bramwell Tillsley was born Aug. 18, 1931, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, to Salvationists Harold and Doris Tillsley, who had immigrated to Canada from England just a few years before. He accepted Christ at a young age, and became actively involved at Kitchener Citadel as a junior soldier, corps cadet, bandsman and cornet soloist.
In 1953, Tililsley married Maude Pitcher, and they entered the Toronto College for Officer Training in 1955 as cadets in the Sword Bearers Session. In 1956, they were commissioned and appointed corps officers in Windsor, Nova Scotia, before serving in appointments in Canada, Newfoundland and the USA Eastern Territory.
Tillsley became principal of the international training college in London in 1981, chief secretary of the USA Southern Territory in 1985 and Australia Southern territorial commander in 1989, taking the rank of commissioner. In 1991, Tillsley was appointed as Chief of the Staff at International Headquarters.
Bramwell Tillsley was elected 14th General of The Salvation Army in 1993, an office he held until May 1994. In this role, he and his wife traveled the world, nurturing Salvationists in their faith and highlighting the work of The Salvation Army.
General Tillsley was predeceased by his wife, Maude, who was promoted to Glory in 2014.
Survivors include the General’s sister, Lt. Colonel Audrey Wilder, and his children and their families: Rev. Dr. Barbara Robinson, Commissioner Mark Tillsley and John Tillsley.
The current international leader of The Salvation Army, General Brian Peddle, writes: “As a Canadian officer, I have experienced the impact of General Tillsley’s leadership for more than four decades. I have valued his writings and enjoyed his preaching and teaching, while noting his Christian character.
“Servant of God, well done!”
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