Wilfred Kitching
CBE
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
(22 August 1893 – 15 December 1977) was a British
Salvation Army officer who was their 7th
General
A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.
In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED ...
between 1954 and 1963.
Biography
Born in Wood Green, London, to
Theodore and Jane Kitching (née Cranshaw); his father was also a Salvation Army officer. Wilfred attended
Friern Barnet Grammar School. He became a
Salvation Army Officer at age 20 in 1914. He would serve over 30 years in corps, divisional and National Headquarters appointments, and the British Territory.
He and Adjutant Kathleen Bristow were married in 1929. In 1946, he was sent to serve in
Australia South as Chief Secretary. He was sent to Sweden to serve as Territorial Commander in 1948. In 1951, he became British Commissioner.
The Commissioner was elected General of The Salvation Army by the
High Council in 1954. During his years as an officer, he wrote many songs in The Salvation Army song book. In 1961, he was awarded a Hon. LLD in
Yonsei,
Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
, and CBE in 1964. He also wrote two books, ''Soldier of Salvation'' (1963), and his autobiography, ''A Goodly Heritage'' (1967). General Kitching retired on 22 November 1963.
General Wilfred Kitching died at the age of 84. He is buried in
New Camberwell Cemetery.
[London Cemeteries: An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer, by Hugh Meller & Brian Parsons]
References
External links
Wilfred Kitching at The Salvation Army
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kitching, Wilfred
1893 births
1977 deaths
English Salvationists
Christian writers
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Salvation Army officers
People educated at Friern Barnet Grammar School