Roland Kitson, 3rd Baron Airedale facts for kids

Portrait of Kitson taken in 1932 during his visit to Sydney, Australia.

Captain Roland Dudley Kitson, 3rd Baron Airedale (born July 19, 1882 – died March 20, 1958) was an important British businessman. He was also known as the 3rd Baron Airedale. He came from a well-known family in Leeds, England. His father was Sir James Kitson, who was the 1st Baron Airedale.

A Life of Business and Service

Early Life and Education

Roland Kitson was born in Leeds, England. His family had a long history in the Yorkshire region. Both his father and grandfather were important leaders in Leeds, serving as Lord Mayor. His father was also a Member of Parliament (MP), representing people in the government from 1892 to 1907. Roland went to school at Westminster and then studied at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Public Service and Military Career

In 1913, Roland Kitson worked as a magistrate in Leeds. A magistrate is like a judge who handles less serious legal cases.

During World War I (1914–1918), Roland served in the West Yorkshire Regiment. He was a brave soldier and received two special awards for his actions: the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Military Cross.

Family Business and Other Roles

Roland's grandfather, also named James Kitson, started a company called Airedale Foundry in 1835. This company, later known as Kitsons of Leeds, became famous for making locomotives (train engines). They built about 5,400 locomotives in their first 100 years! Roland worked for a time in the Airedale Foundry and another company called Monk Bridge Iron and Steel Company.

Roland Kitson was a director on the boards of several major companies. Being a director means he helped make important decisions for these businesses. Some of the companies he worked with included:

• Dorman Long, where he was also the deputy chairman.
• The Bank of England from 1923 to 1947.
• Ford Motor Company Limited. He became the chairman of Ford in 1948 and stayed in that role until 1954.
• North-Eastern Railway.
• London Assurance Corporation.
• John Dickinson and Company Limited.

In 1944, Roland became the 3rd Baron Airedale after his elder half-brother passed away. He lived at Ufford Hall in Cambridgeshire until his death in 1958.

Family Life

Roland Kitson married Sheila Grace in 1913. They had one daughter and one son, Oliver James Vandeleur Kitson (1915–1996). After his first wife died in 1935, he married Dorothy Christabel Rowland Pelly in 1937. Roland Kitson passed away in London at the age of 75.

Images for kids

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  The coronet of a British Baron.

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  The coat of arms for Baron Airedale.