Harold Stuart KIDNER

KIDNER, HAROLD STUART (b. Sydney NSW, 1896; d. Castle Hill, NSW, 12 August 1983). Anglican clergyman and CMS missionary.

Stuart Kidner grew up in eastern suburban Sydney where he was educated and later studied accountancy. He then worked as an accountant with an insurance firm. After his conversion he attended MBI where he was the Institute's first secretary under C H Nash (q.v.). Being called to missionary service he studied at Ridley College, being ordained deacon in 1928 and priest in 1929 by the bp of Bendigo for the bp of Central Tanganyika.

Kidner served as a CMS missionary in Tanganyika 1929-49. During this time he married Winifred O'Sullivan, who had been one of the party of missionaries who set out with Bp Chambers (q.v.). Kidner worked at Berega from 1927-32, was headmaster of Dodoma School, 1932-33, chaplain of Moshi 1933-36, at Berega again 1937-41, was appointed archdeacon of Ukaguru 1941-47, and was principal of St Philip's Theological College, Kongwa from 1947-49. On his return to Vic he was general secretary of the Victorian Branch of the CMS from 1950-58, of which work L L Nash (q.v.) said 'Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, the affairs of the CMS have made steady progress both spiritually and materially under his persevering direction.' He also spoke of his work in developing the camp site at Belgrave Heights, the ministry to overseas students, and to the help in all these matters which had been given by Mrs Kidner.

After being the rector of Fairfield from 1959-63, he retired with his wife to Mowll Village at Castle Hill, Sydney, where he was assistant chaplain. His ministry and also that of his wife was seen by many to be one of the most valued in the history of the village. Mrs Winifred Kidner died in 1980, Stuart Kidner later remarrying. For his 90th birthday he contributed towards a self-initiated fund and invited the family to join him in contributing towards the printing of Bible portions to be shipped from Taiwan to mainland China, his birthday gift to the church in China. He and his wife Winifred had an encyclopaedic knowledge of missionary activity by evangelical agencies throughout the world and had supported their work by constant prayer throughout their lives.

Keith Cole, A History of the Church Missionary Society of Australia (Melbourne, 1971)

KEITH COLE