Son of George Jardine Kidston and Elizabeth Agnes Logan.
-----
Ireland, Calendar of Wills and Administrations
Name: Archibald Glen Kidston
Event Type: Probate
Event Date: 02 Sep 1913
Event Place: Glasgow
Beneficiary's Name: Héléne A B Kidston
Beneficiary 2 Name: Richard Kidston
Beneficiary 3 Name: William Swire
GS Film number: 101004
Digital Folder Number: 005014918
Image Number: 00575
=====
He gained the rank of Captain in the service of the 3rd Battalion, Black Watch.
He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.).
-----
DEATH OF CAPTAIN GLEN KIDSTON.
We deeply regret to announce the death of Captain Glen Kidston, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after three o'clock, at his Breconshire residence, Gwernyfed, Three Cocks, at the comparatively early age of 42 years. The deceased gentleman had been in failing health for some time, but there was such a marked improvement in his condition in the spring that many friends who knew him Kr: eat worth then permitted themselves to hope that a life so valuable to those amongst whom he lived and indeed to a very much wider community might be spared for a long time to come. It was not to be, however. Towards the end of July, Captain Kidston's illness became most serious, and he gradually sank. A born fighter, he made a gallant struggle to do the best with himself from the time the first symptoms of illness appeared right on till within a few hours of his death, giving close personal attention to innumerable matters of private and public import, and resolutely refusing to permit himself that freedom from duty's tasks which his physical weakness really demanded. He seemed to be filled with that spirit which made Cecil Rhodes cry out, when his earthly course was closing, that there was still so much to do; and having a wonderful native energy and determination of purpose, he doggedly worked on till the very last. To those near and dear to him, it must now be a priceless consolation to know, as they do, that his time was largely spent in carrying out plans for the benefit of others, and that all through his trying illness he was as eager to help the distressed or to assist any good public movement as he was in the days of robust health. It is given to no man to be perfect, and Captain Glen Kidston was a man impetuous, as generous souls are apt to be but a personality more winning than his it would be almost impossible to imagine. One just had to like him the attraction of his kindness and geniality was an irresistible force. The loss to Breconshire which his death occasions cannot yet be measured what we realise now is that it is so great that we know not how the gap is to be filled. His memory will be cherished here until the children of today are old men and women, for he loved all little folk, and so many of them knew it that they will treasure up the name of Glen Kidston amongst those happy recollections of childhood which nothing can efface. Archibald Glen Kidston came from a well known West of Scotland family. He was born on April 4th, 1871, the eldest son of the late Mr George J. Kidston, of Finlaystone, Renfrewshire, N.B. The family was closely associated with the development of the shipping industry on the Clyde, and this interest in one of the leading shipping centres of the Kingdom was carried on by Captain Kidston, who had been for some years chairman of the Clyde Shipping Co. The deceased gentleman was educated privately, and afterwards took a commission in the 3rd Royal Highlanders, in which regiment he became captain and in which he remained until his death. He married in 1898 Miss Chapman, daughter of Spencer Chapman, Esq., of S4, Eccleston Square, London, and leaves her with two sons and three daughters. The elder son is a naval cadet at Osborne. Captain and Mrs Glen Kidston and family eame to reside in Breconshire some five years ago, taking Gwernyfed, Three Cocks, a beautifully situated mansion with historic associations. It was not long before the presence in the county of such a forceful personality as that of Captain Kidston was felt and appreciated. He had the will, and the means to do good, and he set about doing it, both in private in assisting individuals and in public in supporting charitable and other societies. He was one of the promoters of and principal subscribers to the Talgarth Agricultural Show, which particularly affected his own immediate district; later he took the presidency of the great Breconshire Agricultural Show at Brecon, and this year he served a similar office for the revived agricultural show at Builth Wells. His gifts to these and similar societies, intended to foster the industry of agriculture on which Breconshire mainly depends, would make a long list if they could be all set down. A loyal Churchman, he liberally supported diocesan and other Church funds and in his own parish church, St. Peter's, Glasbury, he took an intense interest. He gave a new organ and a handsome screen and installed electric light, amongst other benefactions and being very fond of music, constantly arranged organ recitals of a high standard, which were greatly appreciated in the locality. His interest in St. Peter's Church extended to the bell-ringing, and having done much to encourage the local band of ringers, he instituted an annual bell-ringing competition, presenting a beautiful shield as a trophy. In politics Captain Kidston was a Conservative, of the modern school. On more than one occasion he was heard to declare that he loathed politics as a question of party strife but much as he disliked party conflict, he felt that there was a duty imposed on him to do what he could to promote the Conservative cause, the success of which he believed to be necessary for the welfare of the country. And so he was found bringing his wonderful zeal and tireless energy to bear on the Conservative organisation in Breconshire, and by special conferences and in other ways he infused a new spirit of enthusiasm and confidence into the party which has not yet ceased to bear fruit. He was made a vice-president of the Breconshire Conservative Association, in recognition of his many services, at the last annual meeting. Here it is fitting, perhaps, to mention that for several years he had been the chairman of the directors of the "Brecon County Times" Ltd., and took a deep interest in the progress of this paper. Captain Kidston's large hearted affection for children found expression in various ways and on many occasions. He was constantly devising treats for the youngsters of the district surrounding Gwernyfed, and as recently as July last had a monster children's fete in Gwernyfed Park, when some 8,000 B Sunday School scholars from Breconshire and Radnorshire were taken there in special trains, etc., which he provided. He would do anything for children, and one recalls, as a flash-light on the secret of his influence, a road-side incident in which he was the happy centre of a group of urchins, for whose benefit he produced weird noises from some mysterious place in his motor-car. Though it was not generally known in Breconshire, he was a most liberal supporter of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and showed his sense of its value by bringing its claims before his young guests at the July fete. He found his personal pleasure mostly a in shooting and fishing, but there was no form of genuine sport that did not appeal to him, as witness the generous help he gave to the Gwernyfed Coursing Meetings, from which his neighbours, and particularly the farmers, derived so much pleasure; and his making of a splendid cricket ground near the mansion and encouraging a local team to improve their knowledge of the game in the kindest possrble way. He was one of the finest game shots in the kingdom and was a strong supporter of the National Retreiver Trials, in which he had some success as an owner. To salmon fishing he was strongly attached. He joined the Board of Conservators for the Wye and was very keen about improving the salmon fishing in that river, and was always ready to give his views a practical form. He was just as much interested in improving the salmon fishing in the Naver, in the North of Scotland, where he rented a Skelpick Lodge from the Duke of Sutherland. The happy brush of a local peer has preserved for friends an incident of the deceased's Scotch fishing experiences showing that no obstacle was great enough to daunt him. He was made a Justice of the Peace for Breconshire some time since, rarely exercised the office of a magistrate. Neither the judicial role nor the small disputes of local authorities appealed to him, and though, had he lived, he might have been persuaded to seek election for the County Council, it is certain that nothing but a strong sense of duty would have impelled him to that course. The funeral will take place at St. Peter's Church, Glasbury, on Friday, at 2.30 p.m., and we understand that flowers may be sent to the church.