George Kitching

Who was George Kitching?

George Kitching CBE, DSO, CD was a Canadian general active in World War II.

George Kitching was born on 9 September 1910 in Guangzhou, China. He died on 15 June 1999 in Victoria, Canada. He was the guest of Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld a couple of days before when he fell ill. He never recovered.

Kitching got his military training at the Royal Military College Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. The British Army gave him several postings in Asia, including Singapore. In 1938 he resigned.

In 1939 he joined the Canadian Army. He was appointed to several position before attending Staff College, Camberley to become a senior officer. Again he held several positions, mainly at the staff of Headquarters 1st Canadian Division and Headquarters I Canadian Corps, before he got his first command in August 1942. Within a few months he was back at the Headquarters of the 1st Canadian Division for the preparations of the invasions of Sicily and Italy. In November 1943 he was promoted to brigadier to command the 11 Canadian Infantry Brigade, followed by the 4th Armoured Division.