 He was born in Igatpuri in India on 9 June 1873 the son of John Gidney, an Irish engine driver for the GIPR, and his Indian wife Margaret David.He was raised a Methodist.He received his education first at Baldwins Boys School in Bangalore, then at St Peters High School in Mazagaon, then sent home to Britain for final education in Edinburgh, to where his family had links.