1914-15 Star (PO. 17994 PTE. E.H. KEMP. R.M.L.I.); British War Medal (PO. 17994 PTE. E.H. KEMP. R.M.L.I.); Victory Medal (PO. 17994 PTE. E.H. KEMP. R.M.L.I.); Memorial Plaque (ERNEST HAROLD KEMP)
Despite the official records, Kemp seems to have been known as Harold Ernest Kemp. He was born in Great Harwood, Lancashire on 11 October 1896 and was to spend most of his short life there. With the outbreak of WWI he enlisted with the 1st Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry at Deal and was with the Portsmouth Division.
Having been posted to France he was Killed in Action on 28 September 1918 - just six weeks before the Armistice which ended the war. On that day his battalion was operating as part of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division—heavily engaged in the opening phases of the Battle of the Canal du Nord, fighting on the Western Front just outside of Cambrai, France.
Kemp was one of 25 Royal Marines killed in action on 28 September 1918. His brother Clarence, died of wounds five weeks later on 3 November 1918 in a further blow to his family.
The 1921 census paints a bleak picture of the household at 6 Poplar Avenue, Great Harwood with two of the family's sons no longer seated at the dinner table - having made the supreme sacrifice.
Kemp is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with research.
