Gerald Kneale

Gerald Carter Kneale was born in 1875. He initially trained in military intelligence before joining Torchwood One at the age of 24 in 1899.

One of his earliest assignments was the aiding of Torchwood Three with the Centurian Incident on 31st December 1899 and its subsequent clean-up. During this time, he both grew attached to the city and became an early supporter of the Rift Theory whose other supporters included Captain Jack Harkness. Upon his return to London he began lobbying for a transfer to Cardiff but it wouldn’t be until 1907, when a schism occurred at Torchwood Three, that he would get his wish granted. The disharmony that transpired resulted in the controversial appointment of Kneale as the new leader of Torchwood Three. However, the fear was unfounded as under his command, the team made great strides.

In June 1918, Gerald and Harriet Derbyshire put Thomas Reginald Brockless, a shell-shocked soldier, into cryogenic freezing on the instructions of a mysterious woman from the future (Toshiko Sato). It was Kneale who ensured Brockless was awoken every year around 21st June so that the world could be saved when the time came. (TW: To the Last Man)

After the untimely death of Derbyshire in 1919, an event which Kneale held himself personally responsible for, Gerald stepped down as Torchwood leader and became more of a consultant than an active member. He died in 1942.