1846 - moved with his family to Spain, where he was educated. 1855 - went to sea with Captain Wardle. 1857 - skipped ship in England and joined his family where he received a rudimentary education in English. 1865 - started his own business in Southport as a cabinet maker and builder. 1892 - applied for a US patent (470200) for his bread slicing and buttering machine. 1904 - the business was converted into a Limited Company as Kiddie & Co Ltd. During the late 1800's, he created the Southport & District Model Yacht Club of which Sir George Pilkington served as the first chairman. Some time later, Sir George asked him to build a model of his yacht, Jullanar.