John Larsson
From Sawiki
General John Larsson was born in Sweden in 1938 of officer parents and spent his early years in Sweden, Denmark, Chile and Argentina. He became an officer from Upper Norwood Corps, United Kingdom, in 1957. The General is Swedish by nationality.
Following a year as a corps officer in the north of England, he served on the International Training College staff for seven years before returning to corps appointments. He married Captain Freda Turner in 1969 when stationed at Ealing Corps.
In 1980, he and his wife were appointed to the South America West Territory, as Chief Secretary and Territorial Home League Secretary respectively. In 1984 there followed appointments to the International Training College, as Principal and Librarian. In 1988, they were appointed to International Headquarters. John Larsson, as assistant to the Chief of the Staff for United Kingdom administrative planning, was given the task of researching and planning for the separation of the international and national administrations. Freda Larsson served as co-ordinator for married women officers.
Then followed three appointments as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women's Organisations - in 1990, for the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland Territory, in 1993, for the New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory and 1996, for the Sweden & Latvia Territory.
In 1999 Commissioners John and Freda Larsson became Chief of the Staff and World Secretary for Women's Organisations (later Ministries) respectively.
John Larsson graduated from London University with a BD degree. He is the author of Doctrine Without Tears, The Man Perfectly Filled with the Spirit, Spiritual Breakthrough and How Your Corps Can Grow. He is a composer of music and, together with General John Gowans (Rtd), has co-authored 10 full-length musicals.
He was elected General by the High Council on September 6, 2002.
