Wilfred Kitching

From Sawiki

General Wilfred Kitching

Wilfred Kitching was born on August 22nd 1893, the son of Commissioner Theodore and Mrs. Kitching. He was dedicated at Wood Green Corps by The Salvation Army’s first Commissioner George Scott Railton. At the age of nine he learnt to play brass instruments and tried his hand as a teacher and conductor with New Barnet Young Peoples Band. At the age of 20 he entered Officer Training from New Barnet Corps in 1914. In 1929 Wilfred Kitching was married to Adjutant Kathleen Bristow who had entered Training College in 1916 from Penge Corps.

Upon completion of his training, Wilfred Kitching served for over 30 years in Corps, Division and National headquarters appointments in the British Territory.

His first overseas appointment was as Chief Secretary of Australia Southern Territory where he served from 1946 to 1948 when he was appointed Territorial Commander for Sweden. 1951 saw his return to England to take up his appointment as British Commissioner.

Wilfred Kitching was elected General of The Salvation Army on May 11th 1954 by the fifth High Council, and he assumed command on July 1st 1954. Later that year General and Mrs. Kitching undertook an extensive campaign in North America covering over 32,000 miles The following year saw campaigns in West Africa, French Equatorial Africa and the Belgian Congo.

During 1956 a globe encircling tour started with meetings in the U.S.A. and Canada, including the opening of the new Territorial Headquarters in Toronto. This was followed by visits to Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and Ceylon. The first International Corps Cadet Congress took place in July 1956, but the General was unable to attend due to a brief stay in hospital.

1957 saw journeys to the U.S.A., Denmark and the Netherlands, followed by a two month soul-saving mission in India, Pakistan and Ceylon. 1958 and 1959 were especially strenuous years for General and Mrs. Kitching, including campaigns in East Africa, Northern and Southern Rhodesia, South Africa, France, U.S.A., Mexico, Canada, Finland, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and numerous engagements throughout the United Kingdom. The African campaign alone involved 96 meetings in 42 days which were attended by 90,000 people. Overseas visits in 1960 included Central America and the West Indies. During his 1961 visit to Korea, General Kitching was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by Yousei University.

In April 1962 the General and the Lord Mayor of London shared the laying of the foundation stone for the new International Headquarters in Queen Victoria Street, London. The new premises were on the site of the ancient graveyard of St. Peters and replaced the previous I.H.Q. which had been destroyed by bombs in May 1941. In January 1963 The War Cry announced that General Kitching had been asked to continue in office until November 22nd to enable the High Council to attend the opening and dedication of the new Headquarters building. On November 13th 1963 Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, opened The Salvation Army’s new International Headquarters. Thus General Kitching’s long cherished dream finally came true.

The year after his retirement he was honoured by his country when he was made a Companion of the British Empire. General Kitching was promoted to Glory on December 15th 1977. Mrs. General Kitching was promoted to Glory on April 25th 1982.

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