Joseph Sowden KIDD

Regimental number3380
Place of birthSydney New South Wales
ReligionMethodist
OccupationMotor mechanic
AddressConnolly Street, West Leederville, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinFather, H Kidd, Connolly Street, West Leederville, Western Australia
Enlistment date2 August 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name12th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/29/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on 1 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Divisional Signal Company
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 29 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 4 June 1919
Medals

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.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918

Other detailsMedals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal