H. J. Kemp
Service no. L/3287
Lance Corporal, 16th (The Queen’s) Lancers, “C” Sqdn.
Born in South Norwood; enlisted in London; lived in Clapham
Died of wounds age 22 on 22 October 1914
CWGC: “Son of Frank John and Ellen Kemp, of 40 Lansdowne Gardens, South Lambeth, London.”
Remembered at St Andre Communal Cemetery, Nord, France
Brother of Sydney Frank Kemp
Information from the National Archive Pension records
Hugh John Kemp joined the 3rd London Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Army) on 16 February 1909. He gave his age as 17 years and 2 months and stated that he was a clerk at “A. Stedall”. He was 5 feet 5½ inches; his chest measurement was 33 inches, with 3 inches expansion. Kemp’s physical development was “good”, although the officer who completed the form had started to write “poor” but struck it out.
On 10 February 1911 Kemp left the Territorial Army to enlist in the regular army. He joined the Lancers of the Line. By now he had grown to just over 5 feet 6¾ and his chest was 36 inches.
Information from the censuses
In 1911 Frank J. Kemp, 55, a hop factor’s clerk, and his wife Ellen Kemp, 52, headed a large family living at 40 Lansdowne Gardens, where they occupied 11 rooms. Frank and Ellen had had 12 children, of whom 11 survived.
Frank was originally from West Wickham in Kent and Ellen from Pebmarsh in Essex. Their large family consisted of
Sydney F. Kemp, 26, working in “fruit farming”, born in Peckham, who died in 1918
Constance P. Kemp, 24, a shorthand typist, born in New Cross
Thomas C. Kemp, 21, a colonial agent’s representative in the drapery trade, born in New Cross
Winifred M. Kemp, 20, another shorthand typist, born in East Dulwich
Mabel E. Kemp, 16, not working, born in South Norwood
Leslie A. Kemp, 15, a junior clerk, born in South Norwood
Ivy G. Kemp, 14, at school, born in South Norwood
Doris F. Kemp, 12, at school, born in East Dulwich
Stanley E. Kemp, 10, at school, born in Nunhead
In addition, there was a nephew, Frederick H. Kemp, 26, a musician born in Brixton, and a niece, Ivy Nicholls, 16, a dressmaker’s assistant, born in Hamptonshire, Middlesex.
In 1911 Hugh John Kemp, 19, was at the barracks of the 16th Lancers at Woolwich Common – he was a private.
He appears on the 1901 census as an eight-year-old. At that time, the family was living 45 Nunhead Lane, Camberwell. Hugh John is listed as having been born at South Norwood. Sydney (given as Sidney) is described as a stockbroker’s clerk.