Vidal was born at Cornborough House, Abbotsham near Bideford, Devon, England, and educated at Westminster School, being Captain of School and of the School's football and cricket XIs when he left in 1872.
Vidal was born at Cornborough House, a location near Bideford in Devon, England. He attended Westminster School, where he served as both captain of the school's football and cricket teams before leaving in 1872.