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Charles Kydd
Charles Kydd was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1912, but was educated in Truro, Nova Scotia. He joined The Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1931 and worked in various braches throughout the Maritimes until he enlisted in 1941. Kydd was sent overseas in November 1941 and served with the 7th Anti-Tank Regiment until July 1943. He returned home and was an instructor at the army base in Petawawa until his unit went overseas again in the spring of 1944.
During his second tour of duty, Kydd served with the 6th Anti-Tank Regiment and fought in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. In the last year of the war, he was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service in the field. Charles Kydd was released from active service in February 1946 and returned to The Canadian Bank of Commerce at the Montague branch in Prince Edward Island.
William Kydd
Charles Kydd's brother, William Fairweather Kydd, also worked for The Canadian Bank of Commerce and fought in World War II. William Kydd worked at branches throughout the Maritimes and enlisted in May 1940. He served with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division and saw action in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. After the war, William Kydd returned to The Commerce at the Antigonish branch in Nova Scotia.
Excerpt from the official citation of Charles Kydd, Canada Gazette, 12th May 1945:
On 9 February, 1945, 'D' Troop of 56 Battery, commanded by Lieutenant Kydd, was in support of 2 Monmouthshire Regiment, which came under heavy fire from two enemy self-propelled guns along the north side of the Reichswald. Immediately, and without seeking cover for his troop, Lieutenant Kydd ordered his guns to engage the enemy. So effective was the fire which he brought down that both enemy armoured fighting vehicles were put out of action and the Monmouthshire Regiment continued the advance.
Military Cross medal awarded to Charles Kydd by the Canadian government
On 12 February, 1945, 'D' Troop was moving with 2 Monmouthshire Regiment along a lateral road in the Reichswald. Without warning, the Regiment came under heavy and accurate fire from an enemy high velocity gun and the Regiment was held up. This officer moved his troop to a covered position and set out on foot to establish the position of the enemy gun. He crawled under fire from small arms and mortars to the top of a rise from which he could see the armoured fighting vehicle, later identified as a 'Jadpanther'. He then returned to his troop, selected one gun, and led it over exceptionally difficult ground and under fire to a position on the enemy's flank. From here he knocked out the Jadpanther with four rounds, clearing the way for the infantry to continue its advance.
Throughout the operation Lieutenant Kydd showed an extraordinary determination to come to grips with the enemy. His rapid appreciation of a situation and his ability to deal with it immediately were outstanding. His personal courage and presence of mind under fire were a source of a great inspiration to his own men and to other troops. The effectiveness with which he fought his guns contributed in no small measure to the success of the operation in which he was engaged.
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