Leading Stoker Thomas James Kidston
Royal Navy, 280054
Killed by enemy action
Date of Birth: 28th of March 1876
Place of Birth: Bishopsteignton, Devon
Date of Death: 26th of July 1917
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal
Son of John and Louisa Kidston of Bishopsteignton, Devon.
In the 1881 census, Thomas was living with his mother Louisa, a sailors wife, and his elder brother William and his grandmother Sarah Morritt at 59, Clanage Hill, Bishopsteignton.
On the 1901 census, Thomas was listed as part of the crew of HMS Apollo, based in North Basin Keyham Dockyard, Devonport. He was one of 24 stokers.
In 1911 Thomas was registered as living in the Triangle, Clanage Street, Bishopsteignton, Devon, together with his widowed mother, his younger brother Edward and his elder brother William, a domestic gardener. Thomas was 34 years old, single and a leading stoker RN (following his father’s footsteps). Edward was a farm labourer.
Thomas was a Leading Stoker in the Royal Navy serving on HMS Ariadne. He is described as 5’5″ with light brown hair, light blue eyes and a fair, fresh complexion.
He lost his life at sea when the Ariadne was sunk off Beachy Head in July 1917.
Leading Stoker Thomas James Kidston Commemorative Certificate
