Main CPGW Record
Surname: KIDD
Forename(s): Vivian Norval
Place of Birth: Ilkley, Yorkshire
Service No: ---
Rank: T/Major
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 8th (Service) Battalion
Division: 11th (Northern) Division
Age: 29
Date of Death: 1917-03-21
Awards: M.C., M.I.D.
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. P. 2.
CWGC Cemetery: GEZAINCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Vivian Norval Kidd (born 11 September 1887) was the son of William Norval and Amy Elizabeth Adams, née Stead and half-brother of 2nd Lieutenant Philip Chabert Kidd (q.v.). William (died July 1891) was born at Cosheston, Pembrokeshire, Wales and Amy at Liverpool, Lancashire. Amy married William Kidd in November 1891 and Vivian took his stepfather's surname. Amy married again, in 1915, to George Thomas Shettle.
1891 Harrogate, Yorkshire Census: Redland House, Grove Road - Vivian L. [sic] Adams, aged 3 years, born Ilkley, Yorkshire, son of William and Amy Adams.
1901 Giggleswick, Yorkshire Census: Giggleswick Grammar School - Vivian Norval Kidd, aged 13 years, born Ilkley, Yorkshire.
1911 Ambala, Punjab, India Census: 1st Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) - Lieut. Vivian Norval Kidd, aged 23 years, born Ilkley, Yorkshire.
Vivian was married to Phyllis Procter in 1914. Phyllis married Charles Crisp in 1925 in Australia.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Capt V.N. Kidd (Adjutant), West Riding Regiment. M.I.D. London Gazette, 28 January 1916, page 1201.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Captain V.N. Kidd M.C., West Riding Regiment - Staff. M.I.D., L.G. 4 January 1917, page 198.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Capt V.N. Kidd, W. Riding Regiment. Date of Disembarkation: -.7.15. (2B) [Gallipoli (Dardanelles)]. Acc. Drowned 21.3.17.
Record of Officers' Effects: Major N.V. Kidd M.C., 8 West Riding Regt. Date and Place of Death: 21.3.17. Drowned. To whom issued/Amount: Sole Legatee (Wid.) - Mrs Phyllis Kidd. £100 1s. 0d.
Vivian is commemorated on All Saints' Church Parishioners' Memorial Plaque, Otley; on a memorial in St Mary's Church, Ebberston, Yorkshire and in The Duke of Wellington's Regiment Chapel, York Minster (wooden chair with dedicatory brass plaque on back).
Photograph: 'Yorkshire Rugby Football Union – In Memoriam 1914-19'.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
KIDD, Maj. Vivian Nowell, aged 29 years, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, son of the late Mr. Wm. Kidd, of Otley, and grandson of the late Rev. P.C. Kidd, rector of Skipton, killed in action in France, 1917.
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T/Major Vivian Norval KIDD
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
11 February 1916
HONOUR FOR A WHARFEDALE OFFICER
Captain Vivian Kidd, stepson of the Vicar of Otley, has been awarded the Military Cross for his services in Gallipoli. He was adjutant in the 8th West Riding Regiment, and was mentioned by Sir Ian Hamilton in a list of officers and men whom he wished to bring to the notice of the Secretary for War in connection with the operations described in his despatch of December 11. Captain Kidd is the elder of two sons of Mrs. Shettle, wife of the Vicar of Otley. He was wounded on August 21 during one of the big battles on the peninsula, and was taken to a London hospital. The colonel of the Battalion was out of action at the time, and Captain Kidd was leading the attack when he was wounded. His brother, Lieutenant Philip C. Kidd, has been a prisoner of war since October, 1914.
06 April 1917
KIDD – Killed in action in France, Major Vivian Novell Kidd, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of the late Mr. Wm. Kidd, Otley, and grandson of the late Rev. P.C. Kidd, Rector of Skipton, aged 29 years.
06 April 1917
A FINE OFFICER – GRANDSON OF FORMER SKIPTON RECTOR FALLS IN ACTION
Old Skiptonians will regret to hear of the death in action of Major Vivian Novell Kidd, son of the late Mr. William Kidd, of Otley, and a grandson of the late Rev. P.C. Kidd who was Rector of Skipton for many years. Major Kidd, who was well known in Rugby Union football circles at Headingley and Otley, joined the Army from Sandhurst about eleven years ago in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, and when killed he was second in command of a service battalion of that regiment, and was expecting his promotion to lieutenant-colonel. He was with the battalion at the landing at Suvla Bay as captain and adjutant. And when his superior officers became casualties he took command. Afterwards as staff captain he acted as D.A.A. and Q.M.G. to a division in France. Only a few weeks’ ago he rejoined his regiment as second in command. At the commencement of the war he was adjutant at the regimental depot at Halifax. He was a son-in-law of Major Cecil H. Taylor, O.C., 13th Battalion West Riding Voluntary Regiment, and was in his 30th year.
In a letter to the widow the Lieut.-Colonel commanding his battalion says:– “He is a great loss to us in the regiment, as he was such a fine soldier, and should have risen high in his profession. I am thankful to say the doctors think that he death was quite painless. We are going to bury him tomorrow in a cemetery near here. Everybody throughout the division is much upset at his loss, as he was very highly thought of.”
Major Kidd’s brother, Lieut. Philip C. Kidd, of the Princess of Wales’ Own (Yorks.) Regiment, was wounded and reported to be a prisoner of war in October 1914.
04 July 1919
PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS
MAJOR V. N. KIDD
Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of the late Mr. W. Kidd, Otley, and grandson of the late Rev. P. C. Kidd, a former Rector of Skipton. Well known in Rugby Union Circles at Headingley and Otley. Killed at Suvla Bay, aged 30 years.
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