Harold Edward Kitching (31 August 1885 – 18 August 1980) was a British

Great Britain

Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...

 rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics

1908 Summer Olympics

The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...

 and served as High Sheriff

High Sheriff

A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...

 of Durham.

Kitching was born at Great Ayton

Great Ayton

Great Ayton is a village and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire on the edge of the North York Moors in England. The name Great Ayton is thought to derive from Ea-tun, tun meaning farm and 'ea' meaning river. It has a population of 4,570....

, Yorkshire, the son of Alfred Edward Kitching and his wife Annie Backhouse Richardson. He was educated at Cambridge University and rowed for Cambridge

Cambridge University Boat Club

The Cambridge University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Cambridge, England, located on the River Cam at Cambridge, although training primarily takes place on the River Great Ouse at Ely. The club was founded in 1828...

 in the Boat Race in 1908. The Cambridge crew made up a boat in the eight

Eight (rowing)

An Eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain, or cox....

s which won the bronze medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics

Rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics

At the 1908 Summer Olympics, four rowing events were contested, all for men only. Races were held at Henley-on-Thames. The competitions were held from July 28, 1908 to July 31, 1908. There was one fewer event in 1908 than 1904, after the double sculls was dropped from the programme...

. Kitching also rowed in the 1909 Boat Race.

Kitching served in the First World War, being made second lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry

Durham Light Infantry

The Durham Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1968. It was formed by the amalgamation of the 68th Regiment of Foot and the 106th Regiment of Foot along with the militia and rifle volunteers of County Durham...

 on 10 October 1914. He reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and when he retired from the army he acquired Elmwood at Hartburn

Hartburn, County Durham

Hartburn is a suburb of Stockton-on-Tees in England, situated to the west of the town centre.The village was founded centuries ago and the surrounding area has been developed extensively, mostly with semi-detached housing, from the 1930s onwards. It is situated just off the A66 road to Darlington....

, Stockton-on-Tees

Stockton-on-Tees

Stockton-on-Tees is a market town in north east England. It is the major settlement in the unitary authority and borough of Stockton-on-Tees. For ceremonial purposes, the borough is split between County Durham and North Yorkshire as it also incorporates a number of smaller towns including...

 where his former batman became his chauffeur. He was awarded MBE

Order of the British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...

 and was appointed High Sheriff of Durham in 1941. He was active in agricultural affairs, being chairman of Stokesley Agricultural Society