Family of republican murder victim says he remains 'forever missed' ahead of half-century memorial service
The family of a man who killed by republicans 50 years ago next week has said he remains “forever missed”.
William Kidd, known by his middle name Derek, was aged 37, with a wife and three children, and worked in the building trade.
The book Lost Lives states he was shot “at point blank range” on Trench Road in the Waterside district in the east of Londonderry at about 2.30pm on November 18, 1976, “as he was leaving a hut on a Housing Executive building site”.
It describes the attack as having been committed by “two youths”.
There will be a service of remembrance for him at 4pm in Christ Church, Strabane, this Sunday.
A statement ahead of the anniversary has now been issued by the Kidd family through Derek's brother Chris – one of four siblings Derek had.
In it, the family say Derek “was a special brother and he was deeply valued by all within our family; he was reliable, hard-working, and a good sounding board”.
He had been a pupil at John Perry School in Strabane and worshipped at Christ Church.
He worked for the building contractors J.A. Gamble and then J.T. Robinson until his death.
"At the point it happened Derek was still a young man aged only 37 years, and he was in the middle of living life, working hard but also striving to be a good husband and father,” said the family statement.
"Derek was married to Mary (nee Neely) and they had two boys, Richard and Trevor and then to Derek’s delight they welcomed a daughter called Sharon.
"His children were aged 10, eight, and five when Derek was murdered.
"We received messages of sympathy and practical care and support from people from right across the community.
"That was reflective of how Derek lived his life – he treated people as he found them.
"He had his beliefs, he played his part in serving the community through his membership of the UDR CGC, but most importantly he was a fair-minded man and valued his neighbours.
"He loved working with wood and got satisfaction from building and making things.
"He was hands on when helping his younger brothers in their homes and when he was married, he also built his own home in Glen Road beside our mother and father.
"Forever missed by his family, former colleagues and friends.”
Lost Lives says the Kidd murder sparked two tit-for-tat murders.
It says: “A Catholic man, John Toland, was killed by the UFF in retaliation on November 22, 1976, and the IRA responded by killing Joseph Glover [a Protestant civilian, aged 60, with a wife and two children].
"Corporal Kidd’s wife issued a statement pleading for no retaliation for her husband’s death and disassociated herself from a claim by the UFF that they shot John Toland in revenge.
"Corporal Kidd was buried at Leckpatrick Parish Church after a service at Christ Church, Strabane.”
It adds that the Church of Ireland bishop of Derry and Raphoe had dedicated a silver chalice in his memory at Christ Church.
Meanwhile director of the Troubles victims’ charity SEFF Kenny Donaldson described the Kidds as “an honourable family who are not political in anyway”.
"Derek's life was not for anyone else to extinguish: he had worth and what happened was unjustified and unjustifiable.”