Mr Arthur Alfred Kitching

Arthur Alfred Kitching was born in York, Yorkshire, England in 1881 and his birth was registered in the last quarter of that year. He was the son of Eli Kitching (1858-1938) and Emily Wylde (1857-1933). His father was a native of Bedale, Yorkshire and his mother was from London and they had married in West Ham in 1878. The family moved around from London to York, then Whitby, Yorkshire before settling in Southampton around 1887.

Arthur had five siblings: Frederick Thomas (b. 1880), Horace Edgar (b. 1884), Harry Albert (b. 1887, Grace Hilda (b. 1890) and Gertrude Emily (b. 1894).

Arthur first appears on the 1891 census with his family living at 78 Bevois Valley Road, South Stoneham, Hampshire and his father is described as a greengrocer and his mother as a greengrocer's assistant. His family are listed at 30 Leyton Road, Southampton by the time of the 1901 census but Arthur is absent, perhaps already at sea. Arthur is again absent from the 1911 census but his family are now living at 170 Derby Road, Southampton.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 6 April 1912, he gave his address as 170 Derby Road, Southampton. As a first class steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s. His last ship had been the Olympic.

Arthur Kitching, who was unmarried, was lost in the Titanic disaster. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

His mother and father continued to live in Southampton. His mother passed away in 1933 and his father in 1938.

References and Sources

Agreement and Account of Crew (PRO London, BT100/259)