Joseph Anderson Kidd (1894-)
Eggleston man served in Canadian Army, lost an eye after being hit by shrapnel
Joseph Anderson Kidd was born on 30 May 1894 in Egglestone to Thomas and Elizabeth Kidd. He arrived in Montreal, along with his parents and four siblings, on 24 June 1904. The family settled in Alberta, Canada and in the years before the war, Joseph found work as a labourer.
Joseph joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) on 8 October 1915. On enlistment he became Private 160539 with the 31st Battalion CEF. His unit sailed for England on 20 May 1916 aboard the SS Empress Britain. He arrived in France in early September 1916 and he remained there for the duration of his service.
On 3 May 1917 Joseph received a facial wound from shrapnel during fighting at Bois Bernard. This resulted in the loss of his left eye and his discharge from the army on medical grounds. He was officially discharged on 11 April 1918 as medically unfit for further service, and he sailed back to Canada on 13 September 1917.
Civil Parish: Eggleston
Birth date: 30-May-1894
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: New Town, Egglestone (1901 census)
Blairmore, Alberta, Canada (1911 Canadian census)
Religion: Baptist
Employment: Labourer (enlistment papers)
Family: Parents: Thomas Kidd, Elizabeth Kidd, nee Anderson
Military service:
160539
Private
31st Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force
Served in Canada, England and France
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by Jean Longstaff, Durham | Gemma, Durham University Intern