Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) in case of issue; Military Cross GVR in case of issue; Queens South Africa Medal clasps Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (13136 CPL. J.H. KEMP. A.S.C.); Kings South Africa Medal clasps South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (13136 SERJT. J.H. KEMP. A.S.C.); 1914-15 Star (CAPT. J.H. KEMP. A.S.C.); British War Medal (CAPT. J.H. KEMP.); Victory Medal with M.I.D. Oakleaf (CAPT. J.H. KEMP.); Jubilee Medal 1935; Coronation Medal 1937 - unnamed as awarded.
John Henry Kemp was born in Waterford, Ireland on 20 January 1879. He served with both the 8th and 12th Company's of the Army Service Corps in the Anglo Boer War and, earning the battle clasp "Wittebergen" which implies that he was in the eastern Orange Free State in and around July 1900 when General Prinsloo surrendered with over 4000 men in the Brandwater Basin. He was to spend over 13 yars in the ranks before being promoted to Warrant Officer. Commissioning to 2nd Lieutenant in the ASC followed after 3 years, on 12 August 1914 - a week after the commencement of WWI.
Having been posted to Salonika (Balkans), he was Mentioned in General Milne's dispatch of 5 December 1916. This was followed by the award of the Military Cross in the New Years Honours list - 1 January 1918 - for distinguished service in the Field. He received a further Mention in the London Gazette of 3 June 1919, once more for Salonika - for distinguished and gallant services during the period 1 October 1918 to 1 March 1919.
Released from service, Kemp soldiered on until his retirement was announced in the LG of 22 February 1924. He was then employed in His Majesty's Household where he was awarded the 1935 Jubilee Medal as "Page of the Presence to H.M. the King" (Master of the Household's Department). The 1937 Coronation Medal followed confirming that he was still the Page of the Presence.
A final accolade came Kemp's way in the Edinburgh Gazette of 26 June 1936 where, on His Majesty's Birthday, he was awarded the M.B.E. (Military) as Assistant Officer in charge, Royal Army Service Corps Record and Pay Office. Kemp passed away not long after that - at Southwark, London on 8 January 1937.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with research.
