Wilfred Kitching

Who was Wilfred Kitching?

Wilfred Kitching, CBE was the 7th General of The Salvation Army.

Born in Wood Green, London, United Kingdom to Theodore and Jane Kitching, and educated at the 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, and CBE in 1964. He also wrote two books, Soldier of Salvation, which came out in 1963, and his autobiography, entitled A Goodly Heritage, which came out in 1967.

General Kitching retired on 22 November 1963. This day is remembered for the assassination of the President of the United States John F. Kennedy.

General Wilfred Kitching died at the age of 84.