Thomas Kidd was the youngest son of William John and Mary Jane Kidd. He was born on 21st February 1894 in the Bellaghy area. He was one 13 children. His father was an Army Pensioner, from the Royal Artillery. Thomas Kidd enlisted with the Royal Navy in 1910. In 1913, he was transferred to HMS Ajax, which had just been completed. He served on HMS Ajax (for all but three weeks) until his death on 24th October 1918. He died of influenza complicated by pneumonia.
Further Information
Thomas Kidd was the youngest son of William John Kidd and Mary Jane Kidd (nee Bellew).
Thomas was born on 21st February 1894 in the Bellaghy area. He was one 13 children, 12 surviving by the time of the 1911 census. He was presumably the youngest child.
Known family: William John Kidd, Mary Jane Kidd, James Kidd (born 12th April 1877, Magherafelt), Mary Kidd (born 7th May 1879, Magherafelt), Annie Kidd (born 28th July 1881, Magherafelt), Emily Kidd (born 22nd May 1884, Bellaghy), William Kidd (born 20th May 1886, Bellaghy), Charles Kidd (born 28th April 1888, Bellaghy), Alexander Kidd (born 10th October 1890, Bellaghy), Thomas Kidd (born 21st February 1894, Bellaghy).
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 7, living with the family at house 1 in Toome, County Antrim. His father was an Army Pensioner, from the Royal Artillery.
Thomas’ father, William John Kidd, died on 8th August 1909 in Toome, aged 70.
On 19th February 1910, Thomas Kidd enlisted with the Royal Navy and became a Boy 2nd Class in the Royal Navy on HMS Impregnable.
On 1st October 1910, he became Boy 1st Class.
The 1911 census does not list Thomas as living with the family at house 6 in Toome.
On 21st February 1912 he was promoted to Ordinary Seaman attached to HMS Collingwood. A year later, on 4th March 1913, he became Able Seaman.
On 31st October 1913, he transferred to HMS Ajax, which had been built at Scotts' shipyard at Greenock on the River Clyde and completed in 1913.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th June 1915: Toome
Private W Kidd, Royal Field Artillery, who has been in Sierra Leone, British West Africa, on service for the past fourteen months, is home on a short furlough previous to proceeding with his battalion to the front. Private Kidd is a son of Mrs Kidd, Toomebridge, and has had twelve years’ service. His brother, Alexander Kidd, of the same regiment, is at present in India. While another brother, Thomas Kidd, is on active service in the Royal Navy.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 7th August 1915: Toome
Master Thomas Kidd, Royal Navy, son of Mrs Kidd, Toomebridge, has just completed a short visit to his home. Master Kidd, whose ship has been engaged in coastal defence work, returned to Plymouth on Tuesday.
From 1st March 1918 - 23rd April 1918, he was with HMS Hindustan.
From 24th April 1918 - 24th October 1918, he was with HMS Ajax.
Able Seaman Thomas Kidd was serving on board H.M.S. Ajax when he died of illness on 24th October 1918. He died of influenza complicated by pneumonia.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 31st October 1918: Toome
The news of the sad and untimely death of Gunner Thomas Kidd, H.M.S. Ajax, fifth son of Mrs Kidd, Toomebridge, who fell a victim to the influenza epidemic, occasioned feelings of deepest regret throughout the district. The deceased, who was aged 24 years, was the youngest of three brothers serving with His Majesty’s Forces, was on leave about two months ago when he was in capital health and spirits. There was no more popular young man in the district, and with his bereaved mother and the other members of the family, the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community is extended.
Able Seaman Kidd is buried in Dunfermline Cemetery.
The CWGC record Able Seaman Thomas Kidd as the son of W J and Mary Jane Kidd of Toomebridge, County Antrim.
