Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War B.E.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant Mrs. Mary Kemp, Auxiliary Territorial Service, attached 154 (M) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (W/23537 Sgt. Mary Kemp A.T.S.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these all privately engraved ‘M. Kemp B.E.M.’; Civil Defence L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue (M. Kemp.) nearly extremely fine (5) £240-280

B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1945.
The original recommendation, dated 27 August 1944, states: ‘This Sergeant has served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service for nearly five years and has been with this Regiment since its formation in March 1942. During that time she has proved herself to be thoroughly reliable, outstandingly capable, and unfailingly conscientious. She is untiring in her work and no job whatever it may be is too hard for her to undertake. Despite her many administrative duties on site she has always kept herself at a very high state of operational efficiency. By her loyalty, devotion to duty, enthusiasm, and cheerfulness at all times, Sergeant Kemp has shown herself to be a great leader and is a very fine example to all with whom she serves.’

Mrs. Mary Kemp served during the Second World War with 154 (M) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, and subsequently as a Warden with Nottinghamshire Civil Defence Corps. She was part of a detachment of the Civil Defence Corps that was among those who ‘kept the ground’ at St. Paul’s Cathedral on the occasion of the State Funeral of Sir Winston Churchill, 30 January 1965.

Sold with an A.T.S. cap badge and various cloth insignia.