Bramwell Tillsley
Encyclopedia
Bramwell Harold Tillsley (born August 18, 1931) was the 14th General
of The Salvation Army
(1993–1994).
The son of Salvationists, he was born in Kitchener, Ontario
. His parents had emigrated in 1928 from the United Kingdom. As he grew up, he became a Junior Soldier and a Corps Cadet. He joined a Young People's (YP) Band and then a Senior Band. When he won the honour student award
at a music camp
for his cornet
playing, Maude Pitcher was the runner up. They married each other in 1953. Their first child, Barbara Tillsley, was born the following year. Bramwell and Maude Tillsley entered the training college as cadets in the 'Sword Bearers' session. In 1956, they became officers of The Salvation Army. Upon commissioning, they were appointed corps officers in Windsor, Nova Scotia
, followed by Oakville
, Ontario. They served for the next six years at the William Booth Memorial Training College in Toronto
. Then they became the corps officers of North Toronto Corps. After that, the Tillsleys moved back to the training college so that Bramwell could take up the position of Education Officer. He went on to become a Training Officer, first in Newfoundland
, then in the USA Eastern Territory.
The Tillsleys were soon promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and they moved back to Newfoundland, with Colonel Tillsley appointed as the Provincial Commander. The position of Divisional Commander in the Metro-Toronto Division followed, bringing the Tillsleys to home ground. Colonel Tillsley became the Principal of William Booth Memorial Training College in London in August 1981. He was appointed Chief Secretary of the USA Southern Territory in 1985. He was appointed as the Territorial Commander, Australia Southern in 1989. Commissioner Tillsley became Chief of the Staff in 1991. He became General in 1993 on the fourth ballot with 29 votes in favour and 19 against. He held this role for only ten months and nine days before stepping down citing health reasons, thus becoming the only General to have resigned before the end of his term of office.
Generals of The Salvation Army
thumbnail|left|1st General, William BoothGeneral is the title of the international leader of The Salvation Army, a Christian denomination with extensive charitable social services that gives quasi-military rank to its ministers .Usage of the term General began with the Founder of The Salvation...
of The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
(1993–1994).
The son of Salvationists, he was born in Kitchener, Ontario
Kitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
. His parents had emigrated in 1928 from the United Kingdom. As he grew up, he became a Junior Soldier and a Corps Cadet. He joined a Young People's (YP) Band and then a Senior Band. When he won the honour student award
Award
An award is something given to a person or a group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field; a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signifiedby trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons...
at a music camp
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
for his cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
playing, Maude Pitcher was the runner up. They married each other in 1953. Their first child, Barbara Tillsley, was born the following year. Bramwell and Maude Tillsley entered the training college as cadets in the 'Sword Bearers' session. In 1956, they became officers of The Salvation Army. Upon commissioning, they were appointed corps officers in Windsor, Nova Scotia
Windsor, Nova Scotia
Windsor is a town located in Hants County, Mainland Nova Scotia at the junction of the Avon and St. Croix Rivers. It is the largest community in western Hants County with a 2001 population of 3,779 and was at one time the shire town of the county. The region encompassing present day Windsor was...
, followed by Oakville
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
, Ontario. They served for the next six years at the William Booth Memorial Training College in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Then they became the corps officers of North Toronto Corps. After that, the Tillsleys moved back to the training college so that Bramwell could take up the position of Education Officer. He went on to become a Training Officer, first in Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, then in the USA Eastern Territory.
The Tillsleys were soon promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and they moved back to Newfoundland, with Colonel Tillsley appointed as the Provincial Commander. The position of Divisional Commander in the Metro-Toronto Division followed, bringing the Tillsleys to home ground. Colonel Tillsley became the Principal of William Booth Memorial Training College in London in August 1981. He was appointed Chief Secretary of the USA Southern Territory in 1985. He was appointed as the Territorial Commander, Australia Southern in 1989. Commissioner Tillsley became Chief of the Staff in 1991. He became General in 1993 on the fourth ballot with 29 votes in favour and 19 against. He held this role for only ten months and nine days before stepping down citing health reasons, thus becoming the only General to have resigned before the end of his term of office.
Works
- Life In The Spirit
- This Mind In You
- Life More Abundant
- Manpower For The Master