Cpl Basil Arthur Kidd - 600 sqdn May 1940 Waalhaven

My wife's Great Uncle Marcus Kramer DFC (awarded to him and Richard Haine for that action) was on that raid. He was a private pilot before the war, but flew on this raid as an Air Gunner. As I understand it, he later went to the Gunnery School as an Instructor and was subsequently killed in a flying accident.

 

Hi!

I’ve just come across your posts from 2011 as a result of researching my family, and I was wondering whether you’re still interested in receiving information about Basil Kidd? Sybil Rosa Kidd née Trigg was my grandmother’s sister and my mum was devoted to him. It hit all of the family I’ve spoken to really hard when he was shot down.
I have photos - one of 600 Squadron, plus individual ones and a couple with his sister Audrey and their parents. His father was Arthur Septimus Kidd.
If you’re interested I’d love to hear from you and gather your connection with Basil.

 

Hi spongosue

Nice username and welcome

Yes, we are always interested in anything anyone has that will help the thread, they [the threads] like this one stay open and as people like yourself come along then the details within the thread build to provide a much fuller picture, so if you are happy post away

TD

 

Here’s a photo of Basil Kidd in the Squadron. He is central.

 

Hi Spongosue,

Nice to hear from you. My interest is about Marcus as he was my wife's Great Uncle. However, the raid does interest me. On 8th May 2010 we were invited to the unveiling (my wife and Mrs Haine unveiled it together) of a memorial at their crash site. As part of a project the Islanders of Goeree Overflakkee were putting up memorials to the aircrew of Allied aircraft that crashed on or around the island during the War. Around sixty aircraft in total. If Basil was shot down in that region, they might have one for him too.
http://600squadronassociation.com/w...4/12/The-2012-Dutch-Special-Supplement_sm.pdf
The above is a link to a Squadron newsletter. Some pages down, there is a painting by Tim O' Brian named Final Destination Waalhaven. BQ-R, which as I understand it was Basil Kidd's aircraft is in the foreground. Marcus' aircraft BQ-N is third in line. I was fortunate enough to obtain a copy of this.
I'd be interested in any photographs that you might have as we have only a couple of Marcus.
Regards
Paul

 

No 600 Squadron AAF (City of London) recalled....the posh weekend flyers....incorporated into the RAF proper on 3 September 1939 and served in Fighter Command throughout the war.

World War 2 - RAF No. 600 Squadron, May 1940

 

The above is the whole 600 Squadron. Basil Kidd is middle row, fourth from the right.

 

As the OP hasn’t been on the forum since 2013 I’ve sent a PM to alert him to these recent posts.

Steve

 

Thanks so much for posting this and also for taking the time to notify me.

is it possible to get a high res copy?

best regards

 

Thank you. I can't zoom in that well but it appears to read May 1934. That was before Marcus joined, but thank you. From what I have read, Basil's aircraft wasn't shot down in the same area as Marcus. However, it might be worth contacting Kees Stoutjesdijk at www.wo2go.nl
He has a lot to do with running this site dedicated to the Wartime memories and research of the island. He might well know of a similar group in the area that Basil crashed, that could have more information for you.

Paul

 

For Kiddy 1 . . . I hope these help.
Sue

 

Thanks Sue!

I have sent you a private message on here.

 

Hi, please see the attached description from Valiant Wings by Norman Franks.