No.17845, Private, George Robert KEMP
Aged 25
George Robert Kemp was born in Chedburgh (3rd qtr 1891 Thingoe 4a:725) son of David and KEMP(née PLUME)
1901 census...Aged 9, he was at Bury Road Chedburgh with his David KEMP [31] farm labourer; his mother Sarah [29] born Great Welnetham;; brothers David Harry, Arthur James, and John Herbert[7]; sisters Eliza Gertrude [4], Emily Hilda [2] and Dorothy Gladys [11 months] 1911 census...Aged 19, a farm labourer, he was at New Road, Chedburgh with his parents (father a horsekeeper); brothers Harry, Arthur, and Herbert (all farm labourers); sisters Gertrude, Hilda, Gladys and Beatrice [4] His mother had lost one of her nine children. His brother Arthur was killed the same day in the same unit. They had also enlisted on the same day, having consecutive numbers see here |
He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. His medal index card has not been found but it wouls have been the same entitlement as his brother (less the Military Medal)
The battalion was involved in the battle of Flers-Courcelette, encountering very heavy fighting on 15th when they lost their Lt.Col. MACK. They were unable to reach their objective due to machine gun fire from the QUADRILATERAL, moving back to the support trenches where they were heavily shelled and spent the 16th until relieved by 11th Essex on 17th. The CWGC figures have 100 killed on 16th, 79 with no known grave. This may well included some from the 15th, where they record only 10 killed.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |