Sjt. John Kemp - A Ladysmith Defender.

Edward VII Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.
68596 Sjt. J. W. Kemp, RFA.

John William Kemp, a 19 year old farm servant, enlisted as a gunner in the Royal Artillery at Grimsby on 29th August 1888, agreeing to serve seven years with the Colours and a further five years in the First Class Army Reserve. His Attestation Papers describe him as having a fair complexion, grey / hazel eyes and red hair. The first ten years of his army service were to be in the UK. He received his first Good Conduct Pay on 29th August 1890 and gained steady promotion to Bombardier (29/01/93), Corporal (1/04/95) and Sergeant (11/09/97). In 1893, John had married Edith Minnie Collier in Newcastle and in December 1894 he had extended his service to complete 12 years with the Colours. In 1896 his wife was brought on the establishment.

In February 1899, John Kemp sailed for India and his first experience of foreign service. Serving with the 53rd Battery RFA, he would stay in India less than a year before being sent to South Africa with the Battery in September 1899. John Kemp stayed in South Africa almost two years and earned his entitlement to a Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for "Defence of Ladysmith", "Laing's Nek" and "Belfast". The 53rd Battery was present in Ladysmith throughout the siege and saw much fighting. According to "British Regiments in South Africa": On the night of 7th December they took part in a reconnaissance which Sir George White said was well carried out. On 6th January, during the great attack, the battery excelled its previous efforts. "These guns, most ably handled, came into action on Klip River Flats, ... and inflicted very heavy losses on the enemy." On the day of the relief the 53rd and 67th were sent out to harass the retreating enemy, but the horses were too far gone.

John Kemp returned to England in August 1901 and in October of that year re-engaged at Woolwich to complete 21 years service. His subsequent service was with the 42nd and 34th Batteries RFA and later with the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade. In 1907, he qualified as Brigade Instructor of Musketry and in October of the same year was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with a gratuity of £5.

On 9th May 1914, Battery Sergeant Major Kemp was discharged from the army at Hull. He was 45 years and 6 months in age and had served for over 25 years. His Discharge Papers describe his character as "exemplary" and add the comment that "he is thoroughly honest, sober and trustworthy and is a very hard-working, capable and reliable man, his battery books have always been exceedingly well-kept and he has good knowledge of keeping accounts."

Pte. William Kirk, Lincolnshire Regiment.

Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony", "Paardeberg" & "Johannesburg". (Ghost Dates)
2316 Pte. W. Kirk, Lincolnshire Regiment.

William Kirk was born in Upton, near Southwell, Nottinghamshire, around the year 1865. He first appears on the 1871 Census as a six year old scholar living in the Burgage, Southwell, with his father, John - a railway porter, and a younger brother, also called John. There is no record of his mother. By the time of the 1881 Census, William's family was living at King Street, Southwell, and both he and his father were working as ostlers and grooms. His father had married a woman called Eliza and the family had seen the addition of two daughters, Gertrude (3 yrs) and Frances (1 yr).

On 5th March 1889 at Gainsborough, William Kirk attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment, agreeing to serve for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. William was already serving in the Militia, as a volunteer in the 5th Battalion of the Derby Regiment. His Attestation Papers describe him as just over 5' 6" tall, weighing 144lbs and with a dark complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. Two days later, he joined the Regiment at the Depot in Lincoln. On 1st April 1889, he joined the 1st Battalion. He would stay with the 1st Lincolns for the next six years but see only home service. William was transferred to the Army Reserve in May 1894. The following year, the 1st Battalion would sail for Malta, eventually seeing service in Egypt and the Sudan. However, William Kirk would see his fair share of foreign service in due course.

Following the outbreak of war with the Boers in South Africa, William was recalled from the Reserve under the special army order of 16th December 1899 and posted to the 2nd Lincolns. On 4th January 1900, the Battalion sailed for South Africa on board the Goorkha, arriving at the Cape around the 25th. The Lincolns were part of the 14th Brigade, VIIth Division, and took part in the Battle of Paardeberg but were not otherwise heavily engaged. After the capture of Pretoria, the 14th Brigade was given the task of garrisoning the Boer capital and surrounding area. On 11th July, a large force of Boers attacked the post at Uitval's Nek and succeeded in capturing two guns, a squadron of Scots Greys and about 90 officers and men of the Lincolns.
William Kirk served two years and 64 days in South Africa, returning to England in March 1902.
On 29th September, William was transferred to Section D of the 1st Class Army Reserve. Four years later, he was discharged from all military obligations. His address on discharge was 2 St Leonard's Court, Kirkgate, Newark. William Kirk died of cardiac failure in Leicester on 29th January 1943 at the age of 78.

A Tibet Veteran On The Western Front.

Tibet Medal 1903 - 04 with clasp for "Gyantse".
GV Army Meritorious Service Medal.
L-6390 C. S. Mjr. J. W. Griggs, Royal Fusiliers.

James Walter Griggs was born in the parish of St Pancras in 1880, the second son of Charles Vessey Griggs and his wife, Eliza. The 1881 Census records the couple as living at 1 Little George Street, St Pancras with their two sons Charles (3 yrs) and James (1yr), together with Charles' brother Walter and a boarder called William Hart. Both Charles Griggs and William Hart were working as porters while Walter was a carman. Eliza Griggs died in 1882 and Charles married Mary Ann Ellington in 1888. His new wife already had two daughters, Mary and Emily, and by the time of the 1891 Census, the family were living at 34 Edward Street, St Pancras.

In 1898, the 18 year old James was working as a porter, like his father, and serving as a volunteer in the 7th (Militia) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. On 11th June, he attested for the regular army, agreeing to serve for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. His Attestation Papers describe him as 5' 4" tall, weighing 117lbs and with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.

From February till September 1899, James served with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers in Malta. Following this, he was posted to the 1st Battalion in India, serving in this country till December 1900 when the Battalion was sent to Burma, and returning to India in November 1903. Soon afterwards the Fusiliers were called upon to provide reinforcements for Francis Younghusband's mission to Tibet, which had been held up at Gyantse by stiffening Tibetan resistance to their further progress towards Lhasa. About a third of the Battalion, the healthiest and fittest - those best able to withstand the rigours of high altitudes, were chosen to go. The force left Lebong on 22nd May 1904.

37 days later, after marching over 220 miles, the Fusiliers reached Gyantse and on 6th July Gyantse Jong was captured. Lhasa was sighted on 3rd August and two companies of Fusiliers were part of Colonel Younghusband's escort when he later entered the city to negotiate with the Amban. The troops stayed camped outside Lhasa till 23rd September when, negotiations having been concluded, the long march back commenced. On 28th October, the Fusiliers marched back into Lebong, having covered a total of 778 miles on the campaign, marching through some of the most difficult terrain in the world. Read the full story of the Royal Fusiliers in Tibet here.

In January 1905, James Griggs returned to England and at Windsor Castle in June 1906, King Edward VII presented Tibet Medals to 11 officers and 150 men who were still serving with the Battalion. James passed for promotion to Corporal in September 1908 but had to wait almost another two years before being actually promoted. He passed for Sergeant in July 1911 and was promoted the following year. On 22nd December 1913, he married Mary Byrne in Dublin.

When the First World War started, the 1st Royal Fusiliers were in Kinsale, Ireland, part of the 6th Division. On 7th September 1914, James Griggs embarked with the 1st Battalion at Southampton and on 21st September was in the trenches in the Soupir sector on the Aisne. A few days later, near Fleurbaix, he suffered a gun shot wound to the arm. On 29th October, he was back in England again. Recovered sufficiently to return to France in February 1915, James rejoined the 1st Royal Fusiliers. On 5th June, he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion and promoted to Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class 2). On 18th July 1915, James was wounded a second time, this time with a shrapnel wound in the thigh, and again evacuated from the front line to the 84th Field Ambulance and eventually back to England.

Returning to France in November 1915, James joined the 9th Royal Fusiliers. In April 1917, he was mentioned in dispatches by General Haig and on 17th June 1918, the London Gazette noted that he had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for "devotion". On 9th July 1919, James Griggs was discharged from the army having served his country for over 21 years.

Assistant Baker On A Troopship.

Mercantile Marine War Medal.
Edgar C. Slater.

Edgar Charles Slater was born in Dalston, Hackney, on 28th August 1898. He was the fourth child of Arthur George Slater and his wife, Sarah Ann. The couple are recorded on the 1901 Census as living at 10 Backway in the parish of Waltham Holy Cross, Waltham Abbey, Epping, with their children Ada Maude (9 yrs), Lily Amelia (7 yrs), May Matilda (5 yrs) and Edgar Charles (2 yrs).

Edgar's father was a baker, who had most probably learned baking from his own father, another Arthur, while growing up in Hounslow and Plaistow. Edgar would become the third generation of the family to take up baking as a trade.

At some point during the First World War, Edgar joined the Merchant Navy and served on the troopship SS Saxon. This ship had been requisitioned in 1917 for use as a transport in the Mediterranean, plying between Alexandria and Marseilles, but in 1918 was employed in the Atlantic, carrying American troops to Europe. From May through to October 1918, the SS Saxon crossed the Atlantic five times, sailing from either Plymouth, Liverpool or Glasgow to New York. Edgar Slater worked as an Assistant Baker on the ship, one of four men working under the direction of 1st Baker, John Bulstrode.
For his service in the Merchant Navy, Edgar Charles Slater received the British War Medal and the Mercantile Marine War Medal. This latter medal was awarded by the Board of Trade to members of the Merchant Navy who had undertaken one or more voyages through a war or danger zone. The reverse of the medal shows a steamship in an angry sea with a sailing ship and a sinking submarine in the background, the whole enclosed by a laurel wreath. The medal was cast in bronze and approximately 133,000 were issued, making it one of the rarer First World War medals.

An Immediate Award Of The MM.

GV Military Medal.
530274 Cpl. - L.Sjt. P. J. Kelly, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Patrick Joseph Kelly was born in Belfast, the son of Sarah Kelly of 67 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast. By 1914, Patrick was living in London at 28 Elgin Avenue, Maida Hill, and was employed by the Civil Service Commissioners. He joined the 15th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House on 8th April 1914. He was 18 years and 2 months old and his Attestation Papers describe him as being 5' 11" tall and of good physical development.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, the 15th Londons prepared for active service. The 1/15th Battalion crossed over to France on 17th March 1915. Patrick Kelly, however, found himself transferred to "C" Company of the 2/15th Battalion, where he served in No: 10 Platoon. On 24th March, he signed Army Form E.624, stating his willingness "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom in the event of National emergency." Obviously a capable man, he was appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid), then promoted Corporal (paid) by the time the 2/15th arrived in France on 23rd June 1916. He would stay with the Battalion for the next two years, serving on the Western Front (23/06/16 - 21/11/16), Salonica (22/11/16 - 19/06/17), Egypt and Palestine (20/06/17 - 17/06/18) and back to France on 28th June 1918.
In August 1918, the 2/15th Londons were in positions opposite the Dranoutre Ridge. On the night of 21st/22nd August, the 2/14th Londons attacked the ridge and the following night the 2/15th Londons took over the newly-captured line, which was no more than a series of shell holes, and withstood a determined counter-attack. In the words of the Regimental History: "Under continual heavy artillery, trench mortar, and machine-gun fire, we helped to consolidate the new front line. Fighting patrols were pushed forward and great courage was displayed by members of the 2/15th, particularly Sergeant P. J. Kelly's patrol, "C" Company, at Locrehof Farm."
More details of the events are to be found in the account given by Captain Wills, quoted in "The Civil Service Rifles in the Great War" by Jill Knight. A second counter-attack was expected at any moment and Wills hastily organized a wiring party to strengthen their precarious position. "The men worked like Trojans and Kelly worked like three men. We all tore our hands on the wire but nobody minded." Patrick Kelly and his officer then prepared to wire in front of a near-by slag heap. Captain Wills' account continues: "Corporal Kelly and I approached the slag heap from the rear carrying a roll of barbed wire on a stake between us. Both of us had on wiring gloves ... As we approached ... a couple of men came round the left-hand side of the heap. I thought they were part of my wiring party and shouted at them asking what the hell they were doing. A second later a German stick bomb burst some few yards away and I realised that they were Boche. I am afraid I lost my head, tried to tear off my wiring gloves and get to my revolver. Not so Kelly, the Ulsterman, who kept his head and did not try to get off his gloves, but took out a Mills bomb, pulled the pin out with his teeth and threw it. The bomb exploded and got them both."

As Wills afterwards discovered, Patrick Kelly's quick thinking and decisive action had put two German machine-gunners, complete with gun, out of action and saved both their lives. For this Corporal Kelly was awarded an immediate MM. The two Germans had been part of the next counter-attack but, once again, the Civil Service Rifles held their position.
In early September, the Battalion was out of the line, enjoying a period of "rest", supplying working parties for road building and other tasks. On the 12th, a parade was held and Patrick Kelly and others who had been decorated for the Dranoutre operations were presented with ribbons by the Corps Commander.

In the last stages of the war, Patrick suffered a gun shot wound to the wrist, resulting in a degree of disablement of 40%. He was discharged from the army on 11th February 1919 and granted a pension of 12 shillings a week for 26 weeks. Apart from his Military Medal, he would also receive the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge and the King's Certificate for his service with the 15th London Regiment.

Pte. Clifford Whiting, 2nd Rifle Brigade.

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
Victory Medal.
3568 Pte. C. H. Whiting, Rifle Brigade.

Clifford Henry Whiting was born in Haggerston, Middlesex, 1886, the second child of George, a groom / bus driver and Hannah Whiting. The 1891 Census records the couple as living at 183 Stewarts Road, Battersea, and lists their children as Claude (9 yrs), Clifford (4 yrs) and Annie Mabel (2yrs). By the time of the 1901 Census, two more daughters, Ethel and Elsie, had been born and Clifford, now aged 14, was employed as a print compositor's apprentice.
On 4th December 1909, Clifford enlisted in the Rifle Brigade at Kingston on Thames, signing up for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. His Attestation Papers describe him as 23 years and 4 months old, just over 5' 5" tall, weighing 128lbs and with good physical development, a fresh complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. If one reason for joining the army was to see something of the world, he wasn't to be disappointed; in November 1911, Clifford was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade in India and would serve almost three years in that country.

On the outbreak of war in 1914, the 2nd Battalion was at Kuldana, a hill station in the Murree Hills. On 20th September, they sailed from Bombay for the UK on the SS Somali, arriving at Liverpool on 22nd October. The Battalion became part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division, and on 5th October moved to Southampton to embark on the SS Victorian for the short voyage to France. Having arrived at Le Havre on 7th, the men were in the trenches a week later and had their first casualty, 1699 A-Cpl Walter Percy Green, on the 16th. November was particularly cold and conditions in the trenches were miserable; the men's wet boots froze to their feet and 44 men were sent to a field ambulance, suffering from frostbite. In December, there was heavy rain and mud. The casualty figures for 1914 were 4 officers and 18 other ranks killed or died of wounds, 3 officers and 23 other ranks wounded and 224 men sick.

On 9th May 1915, the 2nd Rifle Brigade took part in the Battle of Fromelles, attacking towards the German trenches at Rouges Bancs. The artillery bombardment started at 5.00am, a number of shells falling short and causing severe casualties in the advanced sap where "B" and "D" Companies of the Battalion were waiting to lead the advance. Nevertheless, at 5.40am, they crossed No Man's Land, took their objectives swiftly and began the task of consolidating the captured positions. The problem that soon became apparent was that they were entirely alone, the battalions to either side of them having been annihilated by machine gun fire as they left their trenches. As most of the attacking waves failed to get beyond their own parapet and supporting troops began moving forward from behind, the trenches became hopelessly congested and the advance came to a standstill. In their exposed advanced position, the 2nd Rifle Brigade men continued to consolidate but were subjected to withering fire from both flanks and the rear. Casualties mounted throughout the day and, at around 2.00am, after the men had been fighting since the previous morning, they had to face a German counter-attack. By 3.00am, it was all over; after fierce hand-to-hand fighting, the position was lost. A few men escaped and made their way back to the old British lines, about 50 were captured, about 30 were wounded and picked up by the enemy the next day, and the remainder were dead. At some point in the fighting, Clifford Whiting had been wounded in the right arm by shrapnel. It was a coveted "Blighty" wound and on 17th May he was back in England to recuperate.

By October, Clifford had recovered sufficiently to be posted back to his Battalion in France. On 25th June 1916, the 2nd Rifle Brigade were in trenches opposite Orvillers on the Somme. As part of the preparations for the forthcoming attack, the 2nd Battalion was called upon to carry out a raid on the enemy trenches. The enterprise was well-planned and skilfully executed. After a preliminary discharge of gas and bombardment of the position, two officers and 50 men, armed with knobkerries, daggers, fixed swords, bombs and revolvers, rushed the enemy line, successfully destroying the German wire with "Bangalore torpedoes and, once in the trench, proceeded to kill the garrison either in hand-to-hand fighting or by bombing the dug-outs. In the words of the Rifle Brigade history: "They had been instructed not to bring back more than three prisoners. They brought back one, of the 180th Wurtemberg Regiment - but they left a shambles behind them. A hurried investigation with torches when the fight was over, showed the trench and dug-outs to be choked with dead and wounded - estimated at the least at fifty. The casualties of the raiders, all of which were brought back, were one killed and ten wounded."

Sadly, one of the wounded was Clifford Whiting. He was evacuated to the 92nd Field Ambulance and died there on 26th June 1916. He was buried in Warloy-Baillon Cemetery, five miles west of Albert, and his few personal possessions - 1 identity disc, 1 case with letters, 1 pipe, 1 lighter, 1 pencil and a 1d coin - were returned to his father in London. He was 29 years old and had served in the ranks for five and a half years.