THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL AND LONG SERVICE MEDAL GROUP AWARDED TO BARRACK SERGEANT-MAJOR T. KIDDLE, ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS AND ARMY SERVICE CORPS, WHO SAW FORTY-SIX YEARS SERVICE WITH THE COLOURS. Four: Egypt Medal 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El-Teb-Tamaai (officially engraved: 872. CORPL. T. KIDDLE. 2/R.I. IR: FUSRS.) Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Victoria (officially engraved: 872 CORPL. T. KIDDLE. RL. IR: FUS:) Army Meritorious Service Medal, George V (officially impressed: BK. S. MJR. T. KIDDLE. A.S.C.) Khedive's Egypt Star, dated 1884 (unnamed, as issued). Scattered rim nicks and edge bruising, contact marks to the obverse and reverse of Egypt Medal from Khedive's Star, otherwise generally Very Fine to Good Very Fine and mounted loose style, as worn, with original silk ribbons.
Group accompanied by 11 pages of copied service papers, photocopied extract from The Annuity Meritorious Service Medal 1847-1953, confirming Meritorious Service Medal, medal rolls for Egypt Medal and Khedives Star, 1901 and 1911 census returns, and a particularly fine studio photograph of the Kiddle family, taken circa 1900 (this accompanied by a later envelope inscribed Kiddle family photograph, C. Kiddle, 13 Kendal Place, Whitleigh, Plymouth PL5 4AG). Kiddle's MSM details are listed in "The MSM 1847-1953" in the section of the book devoted to the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Although he is also listed in the section devoted to the Army Service Corps, the entry in that section merely states "See Royal Irish Fusiliers". I suspect that Kiddle's MSM was awarded largely on the basis of his 22 years distinguished service with the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
The following biographical and service details re Kiddle have been extracted from The Army Meritorious Service Medal:
Born 21 July, 1851. Served as a Sergeant in the 2nd Battn., for 21 years and 3 months before transferring as no. B/175 to No. 10 Company, ASC Barrack Depot., when after 17 years and 10 months he was recommended for MSM by the Commandant, Eastern Command, on 6 January, 1905. He served abroad for 13 years and 7 months. Entitled to Queens Egypt Medal (2 clasps), LS & GC and Khedives Star.
The following extract is from the Army Service Corps Journal 1911:¨¨November 23rd witnessed the departure of the last of the old time Barrack Section A.S.C., in the person of Barrack Sergt-Major Thomas Kiddle, of Colchester, who was discharged under the age limit of 60 years of age, after a period of 46 years' service, 16 years of which he has served in the Colchester Command. Sergt-Major Kiddle enlisted in Her Majesty's 89th Regiment of Foot, now the 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers, on 22nd November, 1865, and one can understand the numerous changes he has witnessed in the Army During this time. His service has been highly creditable and very interesting. He was presented at the second presentation of colours to the 89th by Her Late Majesty Queen Victoria in June 1866, and embarked for India in September 1870, with the 89th, landing an Cannanor, Madras in in November of the same year. He served in India for 14 years. On the passage home 1884 his battalion was stopped at Aden for active service in the Soudan, and was in two engagements under General Graham at El Teb and Tamaai. For taking part in these engagements Serg-Major Kiddle received the bar for Egypt and the Khedive's Star. He arrived home in the year 1884, and was stationed at Portsmouth, and here received a good conduct medal. From Portsmouth he went to Aldershot, and on 4th February 1887 he transferred to the Barrack Section, A.S.C. Whilst stationed at Aldershot, he was present at the late Queen Victoria's Jubilee Review in the Long Valley in 1887. He was appointed Barrack Colour-Sergeant in 1888, and promoted to the rank of Barrack QM-Sergeant in November 1889, and received the warrant rank in December 1894. He was present at the coronation of His Majesty King George (the fifth) which took place this year. Sergt-Major Kiddle, who is a soldier to the core, has three sons serving in the A.S.C., and one of his daughters is married to a Sergeant in the King's Royal Rifles. He has served the length of service for the meritorious service medal, and was hoping to receive it before he retired from the Army.
The following biographical details have been extracted from Thomas Kiddle's service papers.
Thomas Kiddle was born in the parish of St James, London. At the time of enlistment, 23/11/1865, he was 14 years and 4 months old and stated that he had no trade. On elistment, Kiddle was posted for service with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (89th Foot), with the rank of Boy. He was promoted Private, 23/11/1869, appointed Drummer, 19/3/1873, promoted Corporal, 1/7/1881, and Sergeant, 1/8/1884. Kiddle transferred to the Army Service Corps on 11/12/1888 and on the same day was promoted Barrack Colour Sergeant. He was subsequently promoted Barrack Quartermaster Sergeant on 20/2/1890 and Barrack Sergeant-Major (Warrant Officer Class II) on 29/12/1894. Kiddle was discharged on 23/11/1911. At the time of discharge his conduct and character whilst serving with the colours was described as having been "exemplary".
Although Kiddle was originally recommended for the MSM in 1905, it was to be many years before a vacancy arose and he could be awarded his MSM, the medal not being granted until 1921.
