GRANDDAD 1946

A few shots of my granddad, and others, from 1946.

That's my dad walking along with his dad.

I am guessing that these two shots are on some pier on Lake Placid. The darker-headed boy is my father, and the lighter-headed boy is John.

Kibitzing with the boys.

Up in the mountains, most likely northern New York. First one has my dad on the left. I don't know who the man is in the middle. The second shot is of granddad, grandmom, and my dad.

GRANDDAD WWII (1944)

Granddad served in the U.S. Army and was trained for the DDay invasion, but at the last moment was sent as a trainer to a base out west. I don't think he ever got over the sting of not getting to participate in the Normandy landings, though of course I am delighted he didn't get to go. Here are a few shots of him in uniform. Messing about with a tortoise. He looks a bit like Robert Mitchum, don't you think?

Standing on the front bumper of an Army truck, helmet in hand.

Posing (right) with an Army buddy, unidentified.

Dress uniform.

HAWAII TRIP

During Christmas 1966 my grandparents, Francis and Lillian, came out to visit the family in Hawaii. I think we had moved to the house in Pearl City by then, but it is possible we were still in the condo on Waikiki Beach. These pictures seem to indicate that Dad may have wrangled a special tour of the harbor via official Navy pilot boat. Some nice pictures of a young Dad, in his prime, really getting into his career. He loved Hawaii, and probably never would have left had he been given a choice.

FRANCIS TIDD (1943)

A few pictures of my grandfather Francis Lasher Tidd in his Army uniform in 1943. My dad is the one he has hefted to his shoulder.

LILLIAN (1943)

Some shots of my grandmother Lillian Morley Sigley Tidd, one with my grandad Francis Lasher Tidd, in 1943, middle of WWII. Grandad was trained in truck maintenance and artillery.

FRAN & SISTERS (1943)

Probably back from military training, these two shots show my grandfather Francis Lasher Tidd in 1943

with his three sisters, Janet May Tidd, Betty Marie Tidd, and Doris Ruth Tidd.

BUCKROE BEACH

Have no idea why he was down south, but here is my Grandfather on 30 July 1940 at Buckroe Beach, which is near Hampton, Virginia, on the Chesapeake (one of my favorite places).

TROOP 24 (TRENTON, NJ)

I do not think BSA Troop 24 exists in Trenton any more, although it may have moved to a nearby location and continue a history, but I couldn't find it. Scouting has been an important and almost ever-present part of my life and that of my family. At least four generations have participated, and I wouldn't be surprised if a fifth is now engaged (through my sisters' kids). We have three generations of Eagles (and working on a fourth, hopefully). My grand father was Scout master of this troop. Here he is in 1948, decked out for some outing. Snow still on the ground.

Granddad is standing in the rear, leaning on the table, at some advancement ceremony, also in 1948. These boys are older, and the one has a nice sash of merit badges.

This ceremony is from a year earlier. The guy on the left is identified as that year's Scoutmaster, Hugh Evans. I have no idea who the other two gentlemen are.

Mothers are always presented a small pin when their sons make a new rank. What I find interesting is that my grandfather, wearing a sash (which is odd for a SM) is pining my grandmother. Apparently for a while men could earn their badges too. New over is my father pinning his mother. This may have been an Eagle celebration, or maybe not.

Some secret initiation rite with blindfolded boys, ready for slaughter. . .no, probably being inducted into the troop I imagine. We never did this. The boy who appears to be lighting the candle is my father. Probably 1947, maybe 1948.

Another initiation, it seems. Must have been a big thing with this troop. Probably 1948. My grandfather presides, my father is behind the candles to the right.

Usually the boys are not well identified, but in this picture, also likely 1948. from the left: A. B. "Skip" Burroughs, Russell Phipps, William Epley, Harry "Hank" Walsh, John Armitage Tidd (my uncle), Reggy Root, James Francis Tidd (my dad), and Douglas Haw.

None of these boys, unfortunately, are identified.

Whether they were showing off for their parents, or this was an exercise, herewith a pic of what it was like for most scouts of this era at a campsite, with a two-man pup tent, likely an Army castoff.

Skits were an important part of old-time ceremonies. Now you only see them usually at campfires. The boy with the hat is identified as Hank Walsh. My granddad is directing.

One scout, identified only as Leo.

A couple of my Dad.

Mu uncle John, with neckerchief.

Looks like an Adirnondack hut, perhaps, identified as being at Camp Schlagel, not sure where but around 1947.

The next few shots are of the audience at the award ceremonies. I'm not even gonna try and identify people, even if I am sure of a couple. Maybe people will see this (probably not), and say, "Why, that's my . . . .". I hope so.

FRANK & FAMILY

My grandfather Francis Lasher Tidd, my dad James F. Tidd Sr., and my great grandmother Florence May Leedom Tidd in 1948

SOME TIDD SHOTS (1948)

(left to right): Doris Ruth Tidd,Edith Woodhouse Knapp Tidd, Kenneth Struble Tidd,Lillian Morley Sigley Tidd, and unknown.

Top row (l to r): James F. Tidd Sr., Francis Lasher Tidd, John Armitage Tidd; (bottom) Hannah Lydia Longmore (Hartpence), John Armitage Hartpence, unkown

FRAN & LEE (1948)

Some pictures from 1948 of my Tidd grandparents, Francis Lasher Tidd and Lillian Morley Sigley Tidd.

On the Jersey Shore