Charles William Kidder

Charles enlisted in Retford on 11th April 1917 and served with the 2/5th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbys regiment)He went to France on 11th July 1917 He was killed in action on 26th September 1917 by a sniper while advancing on a farm.He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial.

Pte Charles Kidder Retford Times 26 Oct 1917 We regret to record the death of Pte Charles Kidder, Sherwood Foresters, son of Mr and Mrs Kidder of South Wheatley, who was killed in action on September 26th. The sad news came to his parents in a letter from Second Lieut Binks and also from one of three companions from the village who joined up at the same time and were serving together. The deceased who joined up on April 11th 1917 was 19 years of age and went to France on July 11th this year. Before enlisting Pte Kidder worked for Mr J Shearman and had previously been employed by Mr J Kettleborough and Mr H Letherland, grocer, North Wheatley. This is the fourth of Mr Letherland’s assistants who have fallen for their country. Lieut Binks in his letter says:- “Mine is a very melancholy task to tell you of your son Charles’ death in action on the 26th September. He was in my platoon and we advanced on a farm when a German sniper fired his last shot and killed him instantly. It certainly was the snipers last shot for he was immediately shot by my platoon sergeant who said he felt he had avenged you son’s death, It seems hard that he should have died on the threshold of victory but I should like to pay this tribute to a soldier in every sense worthy of the name of an Englishman. There was never the least hesitation in advances against the enemy, and it was largely due to his splendid efforts, that our day was crowned with success. May I again voice my heartfelt sympathy for you in your sad loss of so fine a son. Pte Kidder was of a bright and cheerful disposition and was much liked by all who knew him. Much sympathy is felt for his parents and family in their great loss.