|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name: |
KIDD, Keith Roy |
Nationality: |
Canadian |
Regiment/Service: |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Rank: |
Flight Lieutenant |
Service No.: |
R90529/ J22340 |
Date of Birth: |
20 March 1922 - Sudbury, ON |
Date of Death: |
23 February 2000 - Sunbridge, ON |
KIDD, F/O Keith Roy (J22340) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.420 Squadron - Award effective 3 November 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1/45 dated 5 January 1945. Born 20 March 1922, Sudbury; home in Sunbridge or North Bay, Ontario; enlisted in North Bay, 25 February 1941 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To “P”, 23 March 1941. To No.3 ITS, 15 May 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 30 June 1941 when posted to No.16 EFTS; graduated 19 August 1941 when posted to No.3 SFTS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 07 November 1941. Posted to No.13 (Operational Training) Squadron, 08 November 1941; to No.1 Air Navigation School, 2 February 1943; to No.2 Air Navigation School, 20 April 1942; to Central Navigation School, 25 May 1942 (promoted Flight Sergeant, 07 May 1942; commissioned 8 November 1942); to No.1 General Reconnaissance School, 13 November 1942; to "Y" Depot, Halifax, 23 January 1943 but returned to No.1 Central Navigation School on 01 February 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 8 May 1943. To "Y" Depot again, 24 September 1943 and arrived in Britain on 8 October 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 8 November 1944. Repatriated to Canada, 21 December 1944; flew with No.164 Squadron, 13 March to 11 November 1945 when posted to No.1 Air Support Unit. Released on 20 March 1946. Award sent by registered mail 28 June 1949 to Sunbridge, Ontario. Died in Sunbridge, Ontario, 23 February 2000 as per Royal Canadian Legion “Last Post” website and Legion Magazine of November/December 2000.
|
This officer has completed a tour of operational duty and throughout has set an example of courage and resolution which has won much praise. On one occasion his aircraft was badly damaged while over enemy territory. Flying Officer Kidd was injured. He sustained a broken arm and was cut about the face. Although in great pain and blinded in one eye, Flying Officer Kidd piloted his damaged aircraft to this country. He displayed a high standard of fortitude and bravery. |
Original recommendation by W/C G.A. McKenna in DHH file 181.009 D.1730 (Library and Archives Canada RG.24 Vol.20607); drafted 20 September 1944 when he had flown 30 sorties (142 hours 35
minutes). Sortie list and submission as follows:
12 May 1944
Louvain (4.45, second pilot)
12 July 1944
Thiverny (4.00)
22 May 1944
Le Mans (5.15)
15 July 1944
Nucourt (5.15)
05 June 1944
Houlgate (4.45)
17 July 1944
Caen A.1 (4.15)
07 June 1944
Acheres (4.45)
20 July 1944
Ferme de Forestel (4.05)
08 June 1944
Mayenne (5.40)
31 July 1944
Oeuf en Tournois (2.25, duty not carried out, early return)
10 June 1944
Versailles Matelot (5.55)
03 August 1944
Foret de Nieppe (4.20)
12 June 1944
Cambrai Junction (6.00)
04 August 1944
Bois de Cassan (4.00)
14 June 1944
St. Pol (4.30)
05 August 1944
St. Leu d’Esserent (4.45)
15 June 1944
Boulogne (3.35)
07 August 1944
La Hogue (4.15)
16 June 1944
Sautrecourt (4.15)
08 August 1944
Foret de Chantilly (4.50)
21 June 1944
St. Martin (4.45)
09 August 1944
Foret de Nieppe (3.55)
21 June 1944
St. Martin (4.45)
09 August 1944
Foret de Nieppe (3.55)
23 June 1944
Bientques (3.50)
10 August 1944
La Pallice (6.30)
24 June 1944
Bemieres (4.05)
10 August 1944
La Pallice (6.30)
05 July 1944
Biennais (3.50)
12 August 1944
Foret de Montrichard (5.30)
06 July 1944
Conquereaux (4.05)
14 August 1944
Bons Tassily (4.30)
07 July 1944
Caen (4.55)
16 August 1944
Kiel (5.05, collision on return)
Flying Officer Kidd showed throughout his tour fine qualities of leadership and airmanship of the highest order.
On one occasion when returning from a successful attack on a heavily defended German target, his aircraft collided with another which was flying at 90 degrees to the course. Considerable damage was caused to
the canopy, port propellers and tail assembly, and Flying Officer Kidd suffered a fractured right arm and severe cuts about the face which blinded his right eye. Only by skilful airmanship under these most
trying conditions did this officer succeed in controlling his aircraft and safely landing it back in this country, thereby saving the lives of his crew.
This officer’s courage and endurance set a fine example to this squadron and it is recommended that he be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
DHH file 181.009 D.2623 (Library and Archives Canada RG.24, Volume 20628) has letter dated 27 September 1944, Headquarters, No.6 Group, to all Stations and Bases in the Group, signed by S/L T.D. McKee for
Staff Officer i/c Administration at Group Headquarters:
LOG BOOK ENDORSEMENT
F/O K.R. Kidd, J27340 - 420 (RCAF Squadron)
1. The above Operational Pilot of this Group recently had his Log Book endorsed in GREEN as follows:
“COMMENDED - While returning from a night operation, this pilot’s aircraft suffered a collision from a four-engined aircraft flying at right angles to its course. The pilot’s canopy was damaged and the two
port propellors were bent. Although the pilot suffered a broken right arm, lacerations to his right eye and lacerations to his arm, he flew his damaged aircraft to England and effected a safe landing.”
2. Details of the incident are as follows:
While returning from an operational sortie on a very dark night, and while still over the sea, a collision occurred with another four-engined bomber flying at right angles to the course. This aircraft grazed
the top of F/O Kidd’s aircraft. The pilot’s canopy was stove in, both port propellors were bent and the starboard tailplane was holed. Although the pilot was suffering from a fractured right arm, a lacerated
right eye and lacerations to his arm, he flew his damaged aircraft to England and effected a safe landing at a strange aerodrome.
3. The commendation and details are to be promulgated in Unit D.R.O.s [Daily Routine Orders].
SOURCE: Air Force Association of Canada website.
Return to Remembering Those Who Served Page
Return to Pennfield Ridge Air Station Page
Return to Pennfield Parish Home Page
