James David Bidner - 844120
- Sean Maas-Stevens
- Mar 6
- 2 min read
James David Bidner was born 17 March 1896 in the Township of Moore. He was the son of Sarah and John Bidner. On 24 February 1916, he left his job as a baker and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a Private with the 149th Lambton Battalion.
In January 1917, a medical board convened regarding a medical condition Private Bidner had developed prior to his service. The board subsequently found Private Bidner unfit for service as infantry, but recommended he be transferred to the Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC) as a Master Baker. This change was approved in February of 1917.
Private Bidner deployed to England aboard the S.S. Carpathia in May 1917. The Carpathia served as a troop and supply transport, but prior to the war, it was famous for being the vessel which came to the aid of the Titanic survivors. It served until it was sunk by a German U-Boat in 1918.
Private Bidner was posted to the Canadian Army Service Corps Reinforcement Depot (CASCRD) upon arrival in England, but was moved in August to the Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC). In September 1917 he was moved to the 57th Company CFC. With the 57th, Private Bidner deployed to the field for over a year. He was awarded his first Good Conduct Badge in March 1918. After falling ill with influenza for a week in May, he spent three days in Paris, though the reason is unclear. In September 1919, just over halfway through his deployment, Private Bidner was granted 14 days’ leave in England.
Private Bidner returned to England in February 1919, and rejoined the CASCRD. In July he returned to Canada aboard His Majestie’s Troop Ship (HMTS) Winifredian. On 30 July 1919, Private James Bidner was discharged due to demobilization, and planned to return to Brigden.
James David Bidner passed away on 23 September 1945, in Lambton County, Ontario. He is buried in Bear Creek Cemetery in Brigden, Ontario.
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