KIDD, William James


No.7750, Private, William James KIDD
Aged 27


1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died of his Wounds presumed on Monday, 10th May 1915


William James Kidd was born in Culford (Thingoe Q4-1890 4A:638) son of Charles and Mary Jane KIDD(née ALLEN).

1891 census...Aged 6 months, he was at Greenland Cottages, Culford with his father Charles KIDD [38] farm labourer born Mildenhall; his mother Mary J [36] born Badwell Ash; brothers Ernest J [14] farm labourer, born Mildenhall, Frederick Charles [7] and Arthur [3] both born in Mildenhall; sisters Eliza A [12] born Mildenhall and Florence [10] born Stowmarket

1901 census...Aged 10 he was at Hall Farm, Lackford with his parents (father now horsekeeper), brothers Frederick and Arthur,both farm labourers, and sister Ethel E [8] born Culford.

1911 census...Aged 20 he was a Private in the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment at Longmoor Camp,East Liss, [near Petersfield] Hampshire. His parents were at Needham Street, Gazeley with his brother Frederick Charles, both men being horsekeepers. Later they were at Rats Hall, Culford (CWGC).


He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds. Despite his medal award roll being on Ancestry his medal index card has not been found, it does exist at the National Archives under Private William Kidd 1st Bn Suffolk 7750, and his 1914-1915 star is on the medal rolls

He was buried by the Germans in Roeselare Communal Cemetery (as was Fred Meekins in August that year, from their regimental numbers they probably enlisted the same day). This town remained in German hands all of the war until 14th October 1918. It is unclear as to whether William was captured alive or found dead. The 1st Suffolk suffered over 400 casualties on 8th May in the Battle for the Frenzenberg Ridge. Some stragglers did turn up the next day, but it appears that William and 3 other were buried in Roesleare on the 10th.

CWGC has 94 killed on 8th May, not one has a known grave


Medal index card not yet found on Ancestry..it exists at Kew




photo: peterswar.net



William Kidd is buried in Roeselare Communal Cemetery, Belgium grave 1:E:1

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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