Obituary for General Bramwell H. Tillsley
General Bramwell H. Tillsley Promoted to Glory
General Bramwell H. Tillsley was promoted to glory on November 2, 2019 from his home at The
Salvation Army Meighen Retirement Residence in Toronto, Canada. In 1993, he was elected 14th
General and international leader of The Salvation Army (1993-1994). Together with his wife, Mrs.
General Maude Tillsley, World President of Women's Organizations, Bramwell travelled the world,
nurturing Salvationists in their faith and highlighting the work of The Salvation Army.
Bramwell was born in Kitchener, Ontario, on August 18, 1931, to Salvationists Harold and Doris Tillsley,
who had emigrated from England to Canada just a few years before. He accepted Christ at a young age
and became actively involved at Kitchener Citadel, including as a junior soldier, corps cadet, bandsman
and cornet soloist.
In 1953, Bramwell married his beloved Maude Tillsley, nee Pitcher, and together they entered
the Toronto College for Officer Training in 1955 as cadets in the Sword Bearers Session. Upon their
commissioning in 1956, they were appointed as corps officers in Windsor, Nova Scotia, followed by
Oakville, Ontario. They served for the next six years at the training college in Toronto before their
appointments as divisional youth officers in Saskatchewan and corps officers at North Toronto Citadel in
1966. In 1969, the Tillsleys returned to the training college in Toronto where Bramwell took up the
position of education officer. He went on to become training principal, first at the St. John’s College for
Officer Training and then in the USA Eastern Territory.
In 1977, the Tillsleys returned to Newfoundland, with Bramwell appointed as the provincial commander.
The position of divisional commander in the Metro Toronto Division followed, bringing the Tillsleys to
home ground. Bramwell became the principal of the international training college in London, England in
1981, the chief secretary of the USA Southern Territory in 1985 and the territorial commander in
Australia Southern Territory in 1989. Bramwell was appointed Chief of the Staff at International
Headquarters in London, England, in 1991.
General Tillsley received his bachelor of arts in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario and
furthered his studies at Wycliffe College in Toronto. He was a gifted writer and communicator who
authored many books on biblical studies and holiness, including Life in the Spirit, This Mind in You and
Manpower for the Master.
General Tillsley was predeceased by his wife, Mrs. General Maude Tillsley, who was promoted to glory in
2014. Loving prayers are extended to the General’s sister, Lt-Colonel Audrey Wilder (Lt-Colonel John) of
Oshawa, Ontario, and to his children and their families: The Reverend Dr. Barbara Robinson (Major
Malcolm) of Brockville, Ontario; Commissioner Mark Tillsley (Commissioner Sharon) of London, UK; John
Tillsley (Margaret) of Queensville, Ontario.
Issued on behalf of the Territorial Commander, Commissioner Floyd J. Tidd.
In Lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations to the following charities or institutions close to General Tillsley's heart:
1. The Salvation Army Caribbean Territory,
2. BethanyKids - for rehabilitation services at The Salvation Army Joytown School for Children with Disabilities in Kenya
3. The Salvation Army Booth University College, Winnipeg
General Bramwell H. Tillsley was promoted to glory on November 2, 2019 from his home at The
Salvation Army Meighen Retirement Residence in Toronto, Canada. In 1993, he was elected 14th
General and international leader of The Salvation Army (1993-1994). Together with his wife, Mrs.
General Maude Tillsley, World President of Women's Organizations, Bramwell travelled the world,
nurturing Salvationists in their faith and highlighting the work of The Salvation Army.
Bramwell was born in Kitchener, Ontario, on August 18, 1931, to Salvationists Harold and Doris Tillsley,
who had emigrated from England to Canada just a few years before. He accepted Christ at a young age
and became actively involved at Kitchener Citadel, including as a junior soldier, corps cadet, bandsman
and cornet soloist.
In 1953, Bramwell married his beloved Maude Tillsley, nee Pitcher, and together they entered
the Toronto College for Officer Training in 1955 as cadets in the Sword Bearers Session. Upon their
commissioning in 1956, they were appointed as corps officers in Windsor, Nova Scotia, followed by
Oakville, Ontario. They served for the next six years at the training college in Toronto before their
appointments as divisional youth officers in Saskatchewan and corps officers at North Toronto Citadel in
1966. In 1969, the Tillsleys returned to the training college in Toronto where Bramwell took up the
position of education officer. He went on to become training principal, first at the St. John’s College for
Officer Training and then in the USA Eastern Territory.
In 1977, the Tillsleys returned to Newfoundland, with Bramwell appointed as the provincial commander.
The position of divisional commander in the Metro Toronto Division followed, bringing the Tillsleys to
home ground. Bramwell became the principal of the international training college in London, England in
1981, the chief secretary of the USA Southern Territory in 1985 and the territorial commander in
Australia Southern Territory in 1989. Bramwell was appointed Chief of the Staff at International
Headquarters in London, England, in 1991.
General Tillsley received his bachelor of arts in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario and
furthered his studies at Wycliffe College in Toronto. He was a gifted writer and communicator who
authored many books on biblical studies and holiness, including Life in the Spirit, This Mind in You and
Manpower for the Master.
General Tillsley was predeceased by his wife, Mrs. General Maude Tillsley, who was promoted to glory in
2014. Loving prayers are extended to the General’s sister, Lt-Colonel Audrey Wilder (Lt-Colonel John) of
Oshawa, Ontario, and to his children and their families: The Reverend Dr. Barbara Robinson (Major
Malcolm) of Brockville, Ontario; Commissioner Mark Tillsley (Commissioner Sharon) of London, UK; John
Tillsley (Margaret) of Queensville, Ontario.
Issued on behalf of the Territorial Commander, Commissioner Floyd J. Tidd.
In Lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations to the following charities or institutions close to General Tillsley's heart:
1. The Salvation Army Caribbean Territory,
2. BethanyKids - for rehabilitation services at The Salvation Army Joytown School for Children with Disabilities in Kenya
3. The Salvation Army Booth University College, Winnipeg