Mr Arthur Alfred Kitching was born in the city of York in Yorkshire, England in 1881 and his birth was registered in the last quarter of that year. He was baptised in Southampton in 1883.

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 sometime between 1883 and 1887.

Arthur had five siblings: Frederick Thomas (1880-1928), Horace Edgar (1883-1972), Harry Albert (1887-1975), Grace Hilda (1890-1968, later Mrs William P. Dale) and Gertrude Emily (1893-1976, later Mrs Terence Kerrigan).

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

When he signed-on to the Titanic on 6 April 1912 Kitching gave his address as 170 Derby Road, Southampton. He stated his previous ship as the Olympic and as a first class steward he could expect to receive monthly wages of £3, 15s. 

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

KITCHING--Arthur, aged 30, dearly beloved son of Eli and Emily Kitching, 170 Derby Road. Deeply mourned by his mother, father, brothers and sisters. - Hampshire Independent, 4 May 1912

Arthur's mother and father continued to live in Southampton; his mother passed away in 1933 and his father in 1938. His last surviving sibling was his younger sister Gertrude Kerrigan who died in Bournemouth in 1976.