Joseph Sowden Kidd MM

Joseph Sowden Kidd MM

Photo courtesy WA Military Digital Library
Personal Information
Date of Birth	1 Jan 1894
Place of Birth	Young street, Redfern, Sydney, New South Wales
Death	24 Mar 1979, aged 85
Place of Death	Hollywood Repatriation Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	21 years, 7 months
Description
Occupation	Motor mechanic
Religion	Methodist
Address	Connolly street, West Leederville, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Harrie Kidd
Military Information
Reg Number	3380
Date of Enlistment	27 Jul 1915
Rank	Corporal
Unit/Formation	12th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
Date of Embarkation	1 Nov 1915
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A24 Benalla
Date of Return	4 Jun 1919 ‒ 15 Jul 1919
Ship Returned On	SS Bremen
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	Mundijong School Roll of Honour
Medals	Military Medal 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Prior to enlisting had been a member of the Militia's 30th Signals Company, Engineers for four years. At the time of his enlistment he was living in Connolly street, West Leederville.

War Service

After two months general training at Blackboy Hill camp, Joseph was allocated to the 1st reinforcement draft for the 12th Battalion, and travelled with them to Egypt.

On 3 Mar 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir in Egypt he was transferred briefly to the 52nd Battalion from the 12th Battalion's reinforcement pool, but on 18 Mar 1916 he was again transferred, this time to the 4th Division Signals Company with whom he travelled to France. Before leaving Egypt, on 24 May 1916 at Serapeum he was appointed Lance Corporal.

On 2 Jun 1916 he embarked on HMT Kinfauns Castle for Marseilles in France where he disembarked on 8 Jun 1916. Joe was promoted Corporal on 29 Jul 1916 soon after his arrival in France. Granted leave to England from 20 - 30 Jun 1917, and on 16 Nov 1917 the 4th Division's Routine Orders notes his receipt of the Military Medal for actions during the Division's period in the front lines at Zonnebeke.

On 12 Dec 1917 he was treated by the 12th Field Ambulance who diagnosed synovitis of the right knee and he was admitted to the 21st Casualty Clearing Station, for a few days, rejoining his unit on 15 Dec 1917,, he was granted leave in England again between 9 and 23 Mar 1918, and from 24 Aug to 3 Sep 1918. On 30 Nov 1918 he presented first to the 4th Field Ambulance with tonsillitis, before being sent on to a Casualty Clearing Station and then being admitted to the 6th General Hospital in Rouen on 5 Dec 1918. Well again, he rejoined the 4th Division Signals Unit on 18 Dec 1918.

Joseph left his unit in France on 21 Mar 1919, passing through the Division's Base Depot, before disembarking in Weymouth on 1 Apr 1919, and going to Hurdcott where he remained until he was shipped home to Australia. Joseph was discharged by the 5th Military District on 29 Oct 1919.

Award Commentary

Recommendation date: 29 October 1917 - Military Medal

For extreme bravery and devotion to duty near ZONNEBEKE. Corporal KIDD, on the 17th October, 1917, was carrying important despatches to the Brigades in line. He came under very heavy shell fire as the enemy were shelling ZONNEBEKE Road. After several unsuccessful attempts to get through, Corporal KIDD, who was mounted, proceeded across country which was extremely swampy and shell holed. After being bogged several times, Corporal KIDD abandoned his horse and proceeded on foot and delivered his despatches although Brigade Headquarters was being badly shelled at the time. He left Brigade Headquarters almost immediately, with despatches for Division, and recovering his horse, returned. He showed extreme bravery and persistence in carrying out his duty in the face of most hazardous and difficult conditions. The above programme was almost repeated daily during this Division's tenure of the line. His work during the period was untiring. E.G. SINCLAIR MACLAGAN; Maj. Gen. Commanding 4th Australian Division.

Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95, Date: 27 June 1918; Second Supplement No 30507 to the London Gazette dated 1st February, 1918.

Post War

Married Ethel Alma Richards on 4 Jun 1921 in the Methodist Church, Subiaco. Ethel died on 16 Dec 1990, aged 96 in Subiaco. Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1972 at 17 Gregory street, West Leederville, mechanic; 1977 - 1979 at 179 Bagot road, Subiaco, retired.

Notes

Had attended Mundijong Primary School and is included on their Roll of Honour.

External Links

• WAMDL - Western Australian Military Digital Library has digitised Joseph Kidd's Certificate of discharge and Military Medal citation.
• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial