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Name: KITSON, Frank Edward GBE, KCB, MC (Capt.), Sir
![image of individual](/_site/data/files/images/people/F0-1/SF7-8/7496/19C420DC7623BB92D93F97D59DB3BFF3.jpg)
Birth Date: 15 Dec 1926 Kensington
Death Date: 2 Jan 2024
First Date: 1955
Profession: Later became a general, C in Chief UK Land Forces 1982-5
Area: Kiambu
Married: In Tavistock 1962 Elizabeth Janet Spencer b. 1938 Marylebone
Children: Catherine Alice; Rosemary Diana; Marion Ruth
Author: 'Gangs and Counter Gangs', 1960
Book Reference: Sundown, Hut
School: Stowe
General Information:
From September 1970 Kitson commanded 39 Airportable Brigade, which comprised eight (frequently changing) battalions on short four-month tours. A further brigade was usually attached as brigade reserve, but this could be employed elsewhere as required. On 15 February 1972 he was promoted Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his operational service in Northern Ireland the previous year. According to Belfast politician Paddy Devlin, Kitson "probably did more than any other individual to sour relations between the Catholic community and the security forces" in Northern Ireland. On 22 January 1976 he became General Officer Commanding 2 Division, with the acting rank of major-general, with substantive promotion following on 5 April 1976 (and seniority from 2 June 1974), and leading its re-designation as an Armoured Division in Germany before stepping down on 28 February 1978. He was then Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley, 5 March 1978 – 18 January 1980. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 1980 New Year Honours. On 17 March 1980 he was appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief UK Land Forces and Inspector General Territorial Army, with substantive promotion to lieutenant-general (and seniority backdated to 17 August 1979). He held those appointments until 30 May 1982, and then became Commander-in-Chief, UK Land Forces on 1 July 1982 with local rank of general.
Kitson died on 2 January 2024, at the age of 97. Writing on his death, the Irish News described Kitson as a hate figure, and quoted the late SDLP founder Paddy Devlin as saying Kitson "probably did more than any other individual to sour relations between the Catholic community and the security forces." The Relatives for Justice group released a statement to the Irish News that Kitson "did not see final justice in a court but the tenacity of Mary Heenan and families like hers ensured his deplorable actions and their victims will never be forgotten."