John Kiddle

Captain (retired) John Kiddle, O.B.E. (22 April, 1876 – 10 March, 1936) served in the Royal Navy. Though he retired before the Great War, he served throughout the conflict.

Life & Career

Kiddle was born in Dublin and listed his mother, Mrs. C. Kiddle as his guardian. He gained five months' time on passing out of Britannia. His early career was in larger ships in the Mediterranean, moving on to the Australia Station in January, 1895.

Kiddle was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 September, 1898.

In March 1903, Captain Phipps Hornby opined that Kiddle "has considerable resource & takes considerable interest in wider questions of service knowledge."

Kiddle was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 September, 1906.

In 1908, Kiddle was thanked for preparing a helpful report on the Japanese Template:JP-Asatsuyu.

Kiddle was placed on the Retired list at his own request on 22 December, 1911, three days after being appointed in command of H.M.S. Aquarius.

Kiddle was appointed to Crescent on 2 August, 1914 and served in her until she paid off in December, 1914. On the 7th, he was appointed to the armed merchant cruiser Alsatian as first lieutenant and gunnery officer. He served in her until 28 June, 1916, being given the rank of Acting Commander on 1 April, 1915 and being promoted to the rank of Commander (retired) upon reaching the age of 40 on 22 April, 1916.

On 28 June, 1916 Kiddle was appointed to the Trade Division, subsequently renamed the Mercantile Movements Division. He would serve there until 1 October, 1919.

Kiddle was promoted to the rank of Captain (retired) on 11 November, 1918 in recognition of services rendered during the War.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Marcus R. Hill	Captain of H.M.S. Sunfish 15 Oct, 1903 – 23 Mar, 1904	Succeeded by Alfred B. Barker
Preceded by Charles F. Corbett	Captain of H.M.S. Racehorse c. mid 1904 – 27 Aug, 1904	Succeeded by Arthur H. Oldham
Preceded by Manuel Dasent	Captain of H.M.S. Teviot 27 Aug, 1904 – 22 Oct, 1904	Succeeded by Harold G. Innes
Preceded by Reginald J. N. Watson	Captain of H.M.S. Flirt 28 Oct, 1904 – 15 Nov, 1904	Succeeded by The Hon. Hubert G. Brand
Preceded by George G. Codrington	Captain of H.M.S. Otter 15 May, 1905 – 18 Mar, 1908	Succeeded by Basil J. D. Guy
Preceded by Charles A. Fremantle	Captain of H.M.S. Whiting 18 Mar, 1908 – 25 Feb, 1909	Succeeded by Charles A. Fremantle
Preceded by Charles A. Fremantle	Captain of H.M.S. Janus 26 Feb, 1909 – c. mid 1909	Succeeded by Gilbert C. Heathcote
Preceded by Basil J. D. Guy	Captain of H.M.S. Handy 26 Feb, 1909 – c. mid 1909	Succeeded by Basil J. D. Guy
Preceded by Ernest Hamilton-Bate	Captain of H.M.S. Aquarius 19 Dec, 1911 – 22 Dec, 1911	Succeeded by Bertram O. F. Phibbs