[3][4] Chitty was the son of a flour miller, Frederick Walter Chitty and his wife Ethel Elsie Assistance née Franklin; they married in 1902.

He attended Dover College and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was one of the founders of the Cambridge University Mummers, before training at RADA and becoming a professional actor.

Chitty and former actress Hester Bevan married 1936, and they had two daughters and one son.

[6] Chitty was an early player in the fledgling BBC television output, which started in November 1936 until it was closed at the beginning of WWII.

His television credits included a major role as the aged "Mr Smith" in Please Sir!, and multiple appearances in Dad's Army, Raffles, Doctor Who, Danger Man, Maigret, Man About the House and The Goodies.