Joseph Sowden Kidd MM

Personal Information
Date of Birth	not known 1894
Place of Birth	Redfern, Sydney, New SOuth Wales
Death	24 Mar 1979, aged 85
Place of Death	Subiaco, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	21 years, 7 months
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 Reionforcement
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
Medals	Military Medal 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Prior to enlisting had been a member of the 30th Signals Company, Engineers.

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 Divisions Signal 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 Kinsfawn Castle and promoted Corporal on 29 Jul 1916 in France. The 4th Division's Routine Orders for 16 Nov 1917 notes his receipt of the Military Medal for actions during the Division's period in the front lines at Zonnebeke.

Discharged at 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.

Notes

Included on the Mundijong Primary School Honour Roll

External Links

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