Archive for The Royal Marines Band Service On-line Community Bringing the serving and ex serving communities together          The Royal Marines Band Service On-line Community Forum Index -> Obituaries townsergeant Basil Kidd From the East Kent Mercury Website: Former Royal Marine and East Kent Mercury photographer Basil Kidd died on Monday, aged 85. He will be remembered by thousands of people in the Deal area, not only for his associations with the Walmer barracks but also through his pictures of weddings in the town. As a boy Mr Kidd sang with the depot choir at the Church of St Michael and All Angels, much later joking he was one of the angels. He became a member of the Royal Marine Cadets, later a band boy and served with the corps overseas during the Second World War. He was on board ships in the worst of all sea areas, the Russian convoys. Mr Kidd, of Wellington Parade, Kingsdown, retired from the band service after a career as an oboist and fleet photographer in the home, Mediterranean and Far East fleets. He put this experience to good use when, as a Deal freelance photographer based in Victoria Road, he took photos at the Royal Marines barracks in Walmer and also for the East Kent Mercury until the late 1990s. After the bombing of the barracks in 1989, he was one of those who took his oboe out of retirement and played in the All Stars Band specially formed to raise money for the disaster fund. Basil Kidd died at the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate, on Monday. He leaves a daughter Annette, sons Nick and James, and a granddaughter Alice. Details of his funeral will be on the Mercury website www.eastkentmercury.co.uk when they are released. bootybandy I think that the majority of people on here have very fond memories of Basil in his capacity as the barracks photographer. All our squad and individual photographs have the Basil Kidd stamp on the back. He will always be remembered for that alone. God Bless Bas, and condolences to all his Family. riknoc310 God Bless Basil and condolences to his family, There cannot be many RM Band personnel that escaped his camera. Wolfy Very Sad to hear of Basil's departure. (I can still hear him blowing rasberries to get our attention when he took the obligitary troop photos!) Heartfelt condolences to all his family. There can't be anyone in the RMBS who passed through RMSM Deal who doesnt have fond memories of him.   Nick B Rest in peace Basil. As already stated He took many a squad photo in Deal barracks and also took my wedding photographs. Quite a character! (one for the Jewish cronicle) was one of His phrases. Goodbye old friend. Kratos A very sad day indeed! One in a million was Basil. He was always friendly and gave a smile to every young Bandy/Bulgers' face when taking the intial Troop photos. Rest in Peace. DPotterton Basil is one of those timeless characters who remains part of my memories as a bandsman in Deal. Condolences to his family. David Potterton 3/76 Troop Errol I concur with all the previous posts. He was part and parcel of everyone who went through training at Deal. RIP Basil. Wee Mac " Can I borrow Your Cere's Tunic", Basil is coming to take a foto, to send to me mum? He made memories with his camera, but he is a memory to us all!!!!!!!! Malc Belsher Basil RIP Basil, will be odd not seeing your face popping up now and again around Deal. Condolences to your family. admin Basil is indeed a memory... Just in from Steve Misson: Basil’s funeral will take place at Barham on Wednesday 5th November at 10am. There will be a thanksgiving for his life at St George’s Church, Deal on Friday at 1pm. As per Basil’s request, at the crematorium (on fireworks day) they will be playing the march ‘Blaze Away’! sticky blue 'Blaze Away' Typical of Basil's sense of humor - My condolences to his family geedee137 RIP Basil Kidd Once encountered never forgotten - if you remembered only one person from your time at Deal, it would be Basil. A wonderful human being. Condolences to his family. Geedee Dan A Truly funny man who made many mums and dads happy with his pics of their sons....he must have laughed like hell at some of the warlike poses adopted by the JMnes...fixed bayonets and all equipment on in the rooms!!! http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hometruths/20041218_olga_and_basil.shtml I think this link was posted by someone on here and I put it on Once A Marine...its Bas telling a dit about a reindeer and a seal on a Cruiser coming back from Russia during the war.....funny guy...sadly missed RIP Bas Dan bootybandy I think that should be a new thread of all Basils photos that he took.... Either Squad, Troop, House, Wing or indeed individual.  Any offers??? townsergeant I'll start (Previously posted elsewhere) Click to see full size image 2nd Clarinet Sad news to hear of the passing of Basil. He would have laughed knowing his funeral will take place on 5th November. Always made you laugh when taking the squad pictures, "Oops, I have to take another one, I forgot to put a film in." was one I remember him saying....... Mr Bass Trombone Who didn't have their photo taken by dear old Basil???? My coldolences to all members of his family he was always a cheerful chappie, never known him have a cross word for anyone(may be in fun) he will be missed by all who knew within the Deal circle. RiP Basil I certainly have some pictures that you took in the late 50s. As an aside to Basil and his family, was not his brother a survior on one of the Capital Ships lost in the 2nd World war???? geedee137 Interesting to read earlier that Basil was part of the Russian convoys. I found out out just a couple of years ago that my father did exactly the same. Would anyone know what ships he served on in the convoys? Geedee Errol townsergeant wrote: I'll start (Previously posted elsewhere) Click to see full size image Look.. Alan Blackshaw when he was 'skin'. Bit of a rogues gallery Billy. sticky blue He definitely weren't essence -   riknoc310 sticky blue wrote: He definitely weren't essence -   "Pot" "Kettle" Ring any bells Mr Tomkins.lol townsergeant I know that Basil's Funeral arrangements have been mentioned earlier, but this is the updated info from the East Kent Mercury: 'A Service of Thanksgiving for Mr Kidd will be held at 1pm on Friday, November 7, at St George's Church, High Street, Deal. A private cremation takes place on Wednesday November 5. The family has requested no flowers, but donations if required can be given to the Deal Memorial Bandstand, c/o E.B.Cavell, 25 Albert Road, Deal, 01304 373275' Hornblower Well, he certainly made me laugh as can be seen from a picture elsewhere on this site - probably under a 'bert-shaping' banner... RIP Basil, this thread is testament to the fond memories held of you by so many. sticky blue riknoc310 wrote: sticky blue wrote: He definitely weren't essence -   Quote: "Pot" "Kettle" Ring any bells Mr Tomkins.lol :Fishing :           Pusser One of Basil's evergreen quips, when photographing more than one of us, "Do you want to be mounted or just holding hands?" townsergeant Just returned from Basil's Memorial Service. Lots of dits and lots of laughs about Basil, as well as some moving tributes. I was honoured to be asked by the Kidd family, to play the Last Post & Reveille at today's Service and at the Crematorium on Wednesday. (Basil had Blaze Away played at his funeral and it was on Bonfire Night, as well!) I also played at the Lewes Bonfire Night on Wednesday and if anyone is interested, I offer a 20% discount for Funerals that are booked in advance. Hornblower You're all heart Billy. I'll book you, but only if you play it on natural (F) horn... I'd hang around just to hear that!!!   townsergeant Perhaps on one of these? Click on 'Vienna Horns' in 'YouTube' and listen to the Vienna 'F' Horn Here's one: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=91Hrvw6gClQ and you'll like this one: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zeOj9sCNTWY Dan A Well done Billy, I am afraid I am unable to book you for my funeral as it would go against Buglers Union rules...... Errol Oyez Oyez. Wee Mac Marine Cadets NCO's course 1969 I got my old school friend to send me this. This was taken in July 1969, the same time as the 1st moon landing. I'm in there somewhere, age 15. John Griffith is also in the picture. A few weeks later, the DL, Cpl Baker, would have the joy of meeting HB's New Entry Squad. 2nd Clarinet Tut, Tut..... I hope he (along with the ossifer) got an 'Extra Parade' for being out of the required uniform. Spud Baker was good to us in 3/69 Squad. Became our Mum, he did. Taught us all how to; Iron the RM way Wash the RM way Dhoby the RM way Spit & Polish the RM way Clean brasses the RM way March the RM way and Salute the RM way Wee Mac Just occured to me that the Drill Shed doors,  must be one of the photographed places by Basil's camera. Errol Best part of the photograph     Nick B Mr Bass Trombone wrote: Who didn't have their photo taken by dear old Basil???? My coldolences to all members of his family he was always a cheerful chappie, never known him have a cross word for anyone(may be in fun) he will be missed by all who knew within the Deal circle. RiP Basil I certainly have some pictures that you took in the late 50s. As an aside to Basil and his family, was not his brother a survior on one of the Capital Ships lost in the 2nd World war???? I have just discovered this E Mail in my 'Spam' folder: Hello, You probably won't know me (Janice Kidd) but I am Basil Kidd's niece and I was surfing the web a few days ago and came across the Royal Marines Obituary page. Having clicked on Basil and reading several of the posts I came across one by 'Mr Bass Trombone' that mentioned my Dad. He seemed to remember him being on a carrier that went down during the war. I was wondering if you would be so good as to reply to that post for me and tell the gentleman that it was true, and that my Mum and Dad (Gordon) are still living in Deal and he was on the carrier HMS Hermes that was sunk by the Japs off Trincamalee. There was a memorial service last Friday in Deal as you probably know and my parents were there and my Dad was mentioned frequently by the speakers present. I live in Southern California so was unable to attend any of the ceremonies. Thanks in advance for any help.... Jan Turner (Kidd        The Royal Marines Band Service On-line Community Forum Index -> Obituaries Page 1 of 1