No.K/15865, Stoker 1st Class, Charles Ammon KEMP
Aged 22
|
Charles Ammon Kemp was born on 6th June 1893 in Gazeley (Newmarket Q2-1893 3B:489), son of Alfred and Ellen Eliza KEMP (née CRICK).
1901 census...Aged 7 he was at Dalham Road, Gazeley with his father Alfred KEMP [47] engine drive on farm, born Wickhambrook; his mother Ellen E [42] bron Wickhambrook; sisters Emma J [9], Clara L.[3] and Ida H [1] and brother George A. [6]. All the children were born in Gazeley. 1911 census...Aged 17, a warehouse porter, he was at 18 Charterhouse Street, London EC c/o Messrs J & R Morley. His parents were at Grove Cottage, Brinkley with his sisters Clara Louisa and Ida Hannah. The pension card has his mother in Gazeley in 1917. |
|
He enlisted in Chatham on 7th August 1912 for 12 years. He was 5 feet 6.3 inches (168.5 cm) tall, chest 35.5" (90.2cm), brown hair, brown eyes, a warehouseman. His postings were: HMS Pembroke II (shore establishment) 7th August to 6th December 1912. Pre 1903 there was a hulk, HMS Pembroke,at Chatham and the name was taken on by the newly built shore base, costing £425,000. HMS St George 7th December 1912, promoted Stoker 1st class 7th August 1913. HMS St George was a Depot Ship for the 9th Destroyer Flotilla at Chatham HMS Pembroke II 16th October 1913 to 31st October 1913 HMS Andromache 1st November 1913 to 8th March 1915. HMS Andromache (1890) was an Apollo-class protected cruiser launched in 1890. She was converted to a minelayer in 1909 HMS Pembroke II 9th March 1915 to 14th August 1915 HMS Alert 15th August 1915 to 29th October 1915. Armed with four 4-inch and four 3-pounder guns, and three machine guns she was in Bombay when he joined her and in Abadan when he left. HMS Firefly 29th October 1915 to death in action on 1st December 1915 From www.naval-history.net: FIREFLY, river gunboat, Fly-class, 98ton, built Yarrow in sections, re-erected at Abadan starting Aug.1915, entered service Nov.1915, 9½kts, 1 4" gun, 1 12pdr and 1 6 pdr, 22 crew. Commanded by Lt Christopher Eddis. 1st December 1915, hit in the boiler by a shell, entirely disabled; 1 rating lost (Charles Kemp). Comet managed to take her in tow but both went hard aground, Turks closing in, Sumana took off both crews and both vessels had to be abandoned. Firefly captured by Turks and put back into service as Suleiman Pak, in action and recaptured 26/2/17 by gunboat Tarantula. photo: www.photoship.co.uk   Basra memorial original site in town and after Saddam Hussein moved it click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
