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William Kemp

Gunner 105278 208th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
Died 3 June 1917 aged about 34
Remembered on Ash War Memorial
Buried in Berks Cemetery Extension, Comines-Warneton, Belgium

William Kemp was born in Ash in 1894, the son of Daniel, a bricklayer, and Mary. The censuses record that the family lived in Ash Street in 1891 and 1901, and that William became a bricklayer.

William married Ethel Martha Quinnell in the Wesleyan Chapel in Farnham in 1909, and they lived at 2 Park Villas Ash Street. In 1911 William’s father Daniel lived with them. William and Ethel had two sons, Ronald (1911) and John (1915).

William enlisted at Farnham 4 June 1916, and was 5 feet 8½ inches tall. His religion was Christain Scientist. He went to France 14 December 1916. He was buried in the Rosenberg Chateau Military Cemetery, from which all the graves were moved to the Berks Cemetery Extension in 1930.

Daniel and Ethel were still listed at 2 Park Villas in the 1918 electoral register.

Soldiers Died gives William Kemp’s residence as Ash, and a list amongst the records of the Ash War Memorial committee, gives the address of Mrs Kemp as c/o The Rectory.

Mrs Kemp was sent his effects, including photos, three religious books, knife and razor, his medals, and his plaque and scroll. She received a pension of 22/11 a week for herself and two children with effect from 24 December 1917.

Ash Great War Roll of Honour


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