MILITARY HISTORY

Private Roland Napier Kidd — 246504 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

Roland Napier Kidd was 33 years, 11 months and 3 days old when, as a single man, he enlisted with the 207th (Ottawa – Carleton) Canadian Infantry Overseas Battalion (CI O/S Bn), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) at Ottawa, Ontario on June 17, 1916. He stated that he was born in Peterborough, Ontario on July 14, 1882 and indicated that he had six years previous militia experience with the 3rd DWD at Peterborough. Annotations in his File indicate that Roland Napier may have been a Sergeant or Staff Sergeant while with the 3rd DWD. His previous employment was listed as a Civil Servant. Roland Napier’s entry medical was done in Ottawa on June 17, 1916; he was considered fit for the CEF. At the time, Roland Napier was 5′ 5¾” tall, 34½” chest, had grey eyes, brown hair and lived at 38 Gloucester Street, Ottawa. Roland Napier’s next of kin was listed as Mr. Walter Kidd, his father, living at RR #3, Woodstock, Ontario. He also wanted Miss E. McKay of 24 Sparks St., Ottawa notified. On June 17, 1916 Private (Pte) Roland Napier Kidd was assigned Service Number 246504 and taken-on-strength with the 207th CI O/S Bn.

There are no indications in Pte Kidd’s File to indicate where and what he was assigned to do in the next 11½ months; most likely he was training with the 207th CI O/S Bn and performing assigned duties. On May 28, 1917 Pte Kidd and the men of the 207th CI Bn CEF embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the SS Olympic and disembarked at Liverpool, England on June 9, 1917. Although not specified on his File, Pte Kidd would have been involved in additional training for just over 11 months. June 10, 1917 he was struck-off-strength from the 207th CI Bn Canada and taken-on-strength to the 7th Reserve Battalion (Res Bn) at Seaford, England.

On July 26, 1917 Pte Kidd was promoted in Rank to Acting Corporal (A/Cpl) Kidd with pay. September 6, 1917 A/Cpl Kidd, on his request, reverts to the permanent grade of “Private”. September 12, 1917 Pte Kidd was struck-off-strength from the 7th Res Bn to the Canadian Base Depot (CBD), 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (CI Bn) Eastern Ontario Regiment (EOR) at Seaford. On September 14, 1917 Pte Kidd arrived at the CBD in France with the 2nd CI Bn and was taken-on-strength. On the same day his home address changed to 254 Grace St., Toronto Ontario. September 26, 1917 he was struck-off-strength from the CBD to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp *(CCRC) in the Field and was taken-on-strength. *The CCRC is a centre in France where troops were held before being sent to reinforce existing Units. October 1, 1917 Pte Kidd made a Pay Assignment of $15.00 monthly to his Aunt, Mrs. O. G. Williamson of Omemee, Ontario. On an unknown date the Pay Assignment recipient was changed to the Union Bank of Canada, Ottawa. The Pay Assignment was stopped on April 1, 1919.

On October 18, 1918 Pte Kidd joined the 2nd Bn in the Field. October 26, 1918 he was granted 14 days Leave to the UK. November 11, 1918 Pte Kidd returned from Leave in the UK.

February 25, 1919 Pte Kidd was appointed Clerk for the Orderly Room replacing 1090448 Pte Duncanson T. (England). March 20, 1919 Pte Kidd proceeded to England from the Embarkation Camp in France. March 21, 1919 he was with the 2nd Bn when he arrived in England. April 12, 1919 Pte Kidd was struck-off-strength from the 2nd Bn to the Overseas Military Forces of Canada (OMFC) which has a Canadian Cabinet Minister that conducted Canadian Military Affairs in London, England. April 14, 1919 Pte Kidd was at “A” Wing Casualty Clearing Centre (CCC), Bramshott, England and was struck-off-strength to Canada with the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot (EORD). April 15, 1919 Pte Kidd was taken-on-strength to the Casualty Company, No 3 District Depot for disposal and he embarked the SS Olympic at Southampton on proceeding to Canada.

Pte Kidd would have disembarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia about April 25, 1919 and was transferred by rail to Toronto, Ontario. He declared that his proposed residence after discharge is 127 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa.

Pte Kidd’s Discharge Medical Examination was conducted at Barriefield, Ontario; he was declared clear, no medical problems.

On May 8, 1919 Pte Kidd was discharged from the Canadian Army on demobilization from No 3 District Depot at Kingston, Ontario.

There is no mention in his File with regards to what Military Medals that Private Roland Napier Kidd was eligible to receive or was awarded. Based on his Military Service, he was awarded the:

British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He would have also received the CEF Class “A” War Service Badge No 279189.

Based on his Military File, Private Roland Napier Kidd served a total of 2 year, 10 months and 21 days in the Service: 11 months and 24 days in Canada; 4 months in England; 1 year, 6 months and 6 days in France and 21 days travel time.

Roland Napier Kidd’s medals were dispatched to him on July 21, 1922.

Roland Napier Kidd died July 25, 1928, age 46 years and his wife, Louella Gregory Roland, is buried in Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario.

NOTE
There are a number of gaps which have no information describing where or what this Veteran was doing, such as from June 17, 1916 to May 28, 1917. A War Diary for the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion could not be located.

An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, September 1996:

The Military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable.

PERSONAL HISTORY

ROLAND NAPIER KIDD

Roland Napier Kidd was born in Dummer Township, Ontario on July 14, 1882, the son of Walter John Kidd and Mary Ann Burgess. He received his education in the local school. By 1916 Roland was living in Ottawa and working as a Civil Servant. On June 16th of that same year Roland enlisted to serve his King and Country.

After his return from the War Roland went to Toronto and found work in the dairy industry. It was here that he met his wife Sarah Louella Gregory, daughter of Richard Charles Gregory and Elizabeth Armstrong. Sarah was born on December 13, 1883. Roland and Sarah were married in Toronto on August 23, 1922 and made their home at 37 Bowood Avenue in Toronto. Roland and Sarah had a daughter on February 21, 1924, stillborn.

Roland passed away on July 25, 1928, age 46 years and Sarah died November 2, 1967; both are buried in Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario.

Roland Napier Kidd was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque that hung in Knox Presbyterian Church which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I.  This plaque was later moved to the Sanctuary of Lakefield United Church on Regent Street in 1932 after the two churches merged to form Lakefield United Church.

THE ROLAND NAPIER KIDD FAMILY OF DUMMER TOWNSHIP

Roland Napier’s paternal great grandparents were Alexander Kidd born in 1780 and Christiana White born in 1780. They resided in Dummer Township and he was a master carpenter. They had eleven children. Christiana passed away on August 13, 1866 and Alexander died on December 30, 1868; both are buried in the United Church Cemetery in Cottesloe, Ontario.

Roland Napier’s paternal grandparents were James Kidd born in Scotland in 1813 and Isabella “Bella” McNaughton born in 1821. They married in Scotland in 1838 and came to Canada residing on a farm in Dummer Township. They had five children: Christina, Catherine; Walter John; Mary Sophia & Adeline Grace Kidd. James passed away on June 22, 1875 and Bella died on November 17, 1907; both are buried in the Old Kidd Cemetery in Dummer Township.

Roland Napier’s maternal grandparents were William Burgess born in Ireland in 1826 and Mary Ann McFee born in 1838. They made their home in Belmont Township and had five children: David; Mary Ann; Rosanna; James and Margaret Burgess. Mary Ann passed away on August 21, 1868 and is buried in the Norwood Asphodel Cemetery. William later married Elizabeth “Eliza” Thompson and they had a son John “Wellington” Burgess. William died on February 1, 1897 and Elizabeth passed away on January 17, 1917; both are buried in the Norwood-Asphodel Cemetery in Norwood, Ontario.

Roland Napier’s parents were Walter John Kidd born July 25, 1856 and Mary Ann Burgess born in 1856. They married and made their home in Dummer Township where they had three children: Roland Napier; Mary Isobella and Barbara Rose Kidd. Mary Ann passed away on July 21, 1911 and Walter died April 16, 1934; both are buried in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Warsaw, Ontario.