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WILLIAM BRAMWELL [b: 08 March 1856 d: 16 June 1929]
Bramwell Booth as Chief of the Staff
The eldest son bore the brunt of the Booth's religious crusade. A tall pale, refined boy, dubbed "Holy Willie," he was beaten by bullies at preparatory school and lunched alone in the church- yard. His dismal experience led to the decision to educate the other children at home. By his teens Bramwell was already his father's right-hand man, and he toiled night and day trying to keep the accounts straight.
He married (12 Oct 1882) Florence Soper [b: 12 Sept 1861 d: 10 Jun 1957], a dedicated officer who had worked with his sister Kate in Paris, in 1882. Their seven children were raised in much the same fashion as he had been reared: educated at home and with the Army constantly kept in mind. His two sons, (Bramwell) Bernard and (William) Wycliffe, and five daughters: Catherine Bramwell-Booth, (Florence) Miriam, Mary B, Dora, and Olive E, remained staunch warriors.
Florence Soper
Florence and family
Bramwell and his father, though differing in temperament, were very close emotionally, and it was with no hesitation that Booth designated him as his successor, And throughout his life, Bramwell's highest praise remained. "I think it would have pleased the General"
Bramwell’s position in the family carried both the privilege and burdens of the eldest. As Chief of Staff it was his duty to relay his father’s wishes in the form of marching orders and this eventually caused bad feelings and two splits in the Army. In l929 as ill health hampered him in performance of duties and decisions, the first High Council was called and he was reluctantly deposed from office, to be succeeded in the election of Edward Higgins - his Chief of Staff. Soon afterwards he was promoted to Glory.
The funeral procession of General Bramwell Booth
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The grave of Bramwell & Florence Booth at Abney Park cemetery
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