MILITARY HISTORY
Private Stanley Kidd — 195703 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)
Stanley was 25 years, 18 days old when, as a single man, he enlisted with the 93rd Canadian Infantry Battalion (CI Bn), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) at Peterborough, Ontario on February 10, 1916. He stated that he was born in Warsaw, Dummer Township, County of Peterborough on January 23, 1891 and indicated that he had two years previous military experience with the 46th Durham Regiment. His previous employment was listed as a farmer. Stanley’s entry medical was done in Lakefield, Ontario on February 10, 1916, he was considered fit for the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. At the time Stanley was 5′ 5¾” tall, 33½” chest, had blue eyes and black hair and lived in Lakefield. Stanley’s next of kin was listed as Mrs. Lucy Kidd, his mother, living in Lakefield. Private (Pte) Stanley Kidd was assigned Service Number 195703 and his Unit was the 93rd CI Bn.
May 17, 1916 Pte Kidd indicated that he had Insurance with Chosen Friends for $500.00 and it was being kept up-to-date. On July 15, 1916 Private Kidd and the men of the 93rd Bn CEF embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the SS Empress of Britain and disembarked at Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916. Although not specified on his File, Pte Kidd would have been involved in additional training for over two months. Before October 4, 1916 he embarked England and disembarked at France; Pte Kidd was struck-off-strength from the 93rd Bn CEF on transfer to the 52nd Bn CEF. He was taken-on-strength to the 52nd Bn CEF on October 5, 1916. October 15, 1916 Pte Kidd departed for the 52nd Bn and arrived at his Unit, in the Field, on October 20, 1916.
On January 30, 1917 Pte Kidd was admitted to the No 30 Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) in the Field with Pneumonia. On February 14, 1917 he was taken from No 30 CCS and admitted to No 7 Canadian General Hospital at Étaples, France. February 17, 1917 Pte Kidd was sick, he had frost bitten toes and gangrene, and was transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre (CCAC) at Hastings, England. The CCAC is a centre where wounded were assessed for either further treatment or return to duty.
February 20, 1917 Pte Kidd was taken-on-strength from the 52nd Bn to the CCAC and admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital at Birmingham, England with Pneumonia and Frost Bite. On March 10, 1917 he was struck-off-strength from the CCAC on transfer to the Manitoba Regiment Depot (MRD) at Dibgate, Shorncliffe England; and was taken-on-strength with the MRD.
June 12, 1917 he was admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital (CCH) at Epsome, England with Trench Feet. Then, on June 29, 1917 Pte Kidd was discharged from the CCH having had Pneumonia. August 18, 1917 Pte Kidd was transferred On Command (Com) to No 1 Canadian Discharge Depot (CDD) at Buxton, England from the MRD at Dibgate for discharge to Canada. [On Command — under the command of one officer or non-commissioned officer] {Canadian Discharge Depot (CDD) — centre in Canada where soldiers returning from War were released from service}. On August 20, 1917 Pte Kidd was taken-on-strength to No 1 CDD, Buxton.
October 2, 1917 Pte Kidd ceases to be On Command to No 1 CDD, Buxton and is struck-off-strength to proceed to Canada under “special authority” to be discharged from the Service; he embarked aboard the SS Scandinavian at Liverpool, England. October 11, 1917 Pte Kidd is transferred from the CDD to a Convalescent Home, in Toronto Ontario. Pte Kidd would have disembarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia about October 12, 1917 and been transferred by rail to Toronto, Ontario.
On October 23, 1917 Pte Kidd was taken-on the Out Patient’s List at the North Toronto Military Hospital and on the same day he was admitted to this Hospital. October 30, 1917 Pte Kidd was stuck-off-strength from the Out Patient’s List at the North Toronto Military Hospital. November 17, 1917 he was on the Out Patient’s List at the North Toronto Military Hospital pending his discharge. On December 31, 1917 Private Stanley Kidd was discharged on medical grounds from D Unit, Military Hospitals Commission Command (MHCC); Toronto Ontario. Stanley Kidd received a Medical Pension and as of December 31, 1917 his home address was given as RR #4, Peterborough Ontario
There is no mention in his File with regards to what Military Medals that Private Stanley 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 “C” War Service Badge.
Based on his Military File, Private Stanley Kidd served a total of 1 year, 10 months and 21 days in the Service: 7 months and 24 days in Canada; 9 months and 24 days in England; 4 months and 12 days in France and 21 days travel time.
Post Discharge Pay: Regimental Pay — $1.00 per diem; Field Allowance — $0.10 per diem.
Paid January 16, 1918; February 16, 1918 and March 16, 1918 for a total of $100.00.
Stanley Kidd passed away November 17, 1918 due to Spanish Flu and Pneumonia.
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
STANLEY KIDD
Stanley Kidd was born in Warsaw, Dummer Township on January 23, 1890, the son of Daniel Kidd and Lucy Moore. He worked as a farm labourer and had some blacksmith experience. In 1916 he went to Peterborough and enlisted to serve his King and country. He returned home to the family farm (RR #4 Peterborough) in Smith Township and later he came down with the Spanish Flu and pneumonia. Stanley Kidd died on November 17, 1918 and is buried in the Lakefield Cemetery.
Stanley 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 STANLEY KIDD FAMILY OF DUMMER
Stanley Kidd’s paternal great grandparents were Alexander Kidd and Christina White who immigrated to Canada in 1816 settling in Lanark County. In 1831, the family moved to Dummer Township. Alexander was a master carpenter.
Stanley Kidd’s paternal grandparents were Walter S. Kidd and Elizabeth MacDonald who farmed in Dummer Township. His maternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth “Eliza” Moore of Dummer Township.
Stanley Kidd’s parents were Daniel Kidd and Lucy Moore; they were married on October 9, 1874 in Lakefield. Daniel farmed in Dummer Township and also worked as a blacksmith. They had a family of five children – William “James”, Harry, Bert, Clara and Stanley Kidd. Daniel Kidd passed away on December 9, 1904 and is buried in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Warsaw. In 1911, Lucy and her children were living in Smith Township and by 1921, Lucy had moved into the Village of Lakefield and was living on Smith Street. She passed away on August 1, 1935 and is buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
Stanley Kidd’s father Daniel was first married to Isabella Anderson on January 14, 1864 and they had 3 children. Stanley had a half sister named Hattie Elizabeth Kidd, another half sister named Annie Rose (died quite young) and a half brother named Walter Allen Kidd. Isabella died, age 30 years, on April 14, 1871, and is buried with her husband in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Warsaw.