Service to mark 50th anniversary of Strabane man's murder

A SPECIAL anniversary service will take place this weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of the murder of a Strabane man.

Corporal Derek Kidd, from Glen Road, was aged 37 when he was shot dead by the Provisional IRA on November 18, 1976.

The married father-of-three was a part-time UDR soldier.

At around 2.30pm he was working on a building site in the Trench Road of the Waterside area of Londonderry when two gunmen shot him at close range.

Mr Kidd's wife issued a statement pleading for no retaliation for her husband's murder.

A statement issued by the Kidd family ahead of the anniversary through Derek's brother, Chris, stated: "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 was born on April 22, 1939 at Tullyard, Strabane. He was the oldest son of our parents, William and Annie Kidd, and had one sister and three brothers.

"Derek attended John Perry School and Christ Church, Bowling Green, Strabane.

"On leaving school he worked for J.A. Gamble Building Contractor as an apprentice joiner. Following closure of the building contractor he went to work for J.T. Robinson Building Contractor until he was murdered on November 18, 1976.

"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.

"Derek was married to Mary (née 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 years, eight years and five years when Derek was murdered."

The statement continued: "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."

Corporal Kidd was buried at Leckpatrick Parish Church following a service at Christ Church in Strabane.

A silver chalice was later dedicated to his memory by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe.

The anniversary service takes place on Sunday at the church on Bowling Green in at 4pm.

The family is being supported by victims/survivors group, SEFF.

The group's CEO, Kenny Donaldson MBE., stated: "The Kidd family are an honourable family who are not political in anyway.

"They are people who are grounded within the community and are highly regarded.

"The murder of Derek was very difficult for them to process and it forever changed life's direction for them.

"We think of all those relationships impacted; his widow, children, siblings and other family members.

"Derek's life was not for anyone else to extinguish, he had worth and what happened was unjustified and unjustifiable.

"The family extend a warm welcome to all to join with them for a Service of Remembrance, Thanksgiving and Hope on Sunday, November 15 at 4pm in Christ Church, Strabane."