Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Boer War D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private J. Kidd, Northamptonshire Regiment, for gallantry in saving the Maxim gun at the Battle of Belmont, 23 November 1899

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (2202 Pte. J. Kidd. 2nd. Northampton: Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Transvaal (2202 Pte. J. Kidd, 2nd. Northampton Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (2202 Pte. J. Kidd. Northampton: Regt.) traces of lacquer, contact marks and minor edge nicks, very fine (3) £1600-2000

Provenance: J. B. Hayward, October 1968 and Lovell Collection, Sothebys, November 1978.

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901.

John Kidd was born in Harling, near Thetford, Norfolk. He attested for the Northamptonshire Regiment at Northampton in June 1888. Kidd served with the 2nd Battalion during the Second Boer War, and distinguished himself during the Battle of Belmont, 23 November 1899:

‘Private Kidd was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, for saving the Maxim gun during this action; the mules of which he was in charge being shot, he placed himself in the shafts and drew the gun out of an exposed position.’ (History of the Northamptonshire Regiment 1742-1934, by Lieutenant-Colonel R. Gurney, refers).

The Northamptonshire Regiment suffered casualties of 1 man killed, 3 officers and 13 other ranks wounded during the action. Kidd was discharged 20 June 1909, having served for 21 years with the Colours.