Frank Kitson

 ( 1926 Births ) 

Kitson was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1959 Birthday Honours. He was promoted major on 15 December 1960, brevet lieutenant-colonel on 1 July 1964, and to the substantive rank on 31 December 1966. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1968 New Year Honours. He was promoted colonel on 31 December 1969 (with seniority from 30 June 1969), and brigadier on 30 June 1970.

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. In 1971 Kitson established the Military Reaction Force in Northern Ireland, a plainclothes army unit that sought intelligence on the IRA but is believed to have shot dead several unarmed Catholic civilians.

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. On 22 January 1976, he became General Officer Commanding 2nd 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.

As is traditional for senior officers of the British Army, Kitson held a number of more honorary positions: Colonel Commandant of 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets from 1 January 1979 to 1 January 1987; Honorary Colonel to the University of Oxford Officer Training Corps from 21 July 1982 to 21 July 1987; and Aide-de-Camp General to the Queen from 14 February 1983 to 1985. In the 1985 New Year Honours he was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE).United Kingdom list: He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Devon on 19 June 1989.