Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Eight: Captain W. G. J. Kemp, Supply and Transport Corps, Indian Army, late Royal Sussex Regiment

India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (3321 Sergt. W. G. Kemp. 2d. Bn. Ryl. Suss: Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (3321 Sgt. W. G. Kemp, 1st. Rl. Sussex Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3321 Serjt: W. Kemp. Rl: Sussex Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. Kemp.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Captn. W. G. J. Kemp. 41/ Mule Corps.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Actg. Sgt. Maj. W. G. J. Kemp. I.U.L.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (1st. Cl: Sergt. Instr. W. G. Kemp E.B. Voltr. Rfls.) initials officially corrected on last; top lugs removed from first three, contact marks, nearly very fine and better (8) £600-£800

William George John Kemp was born in Ticehurst, Sussex, on 26 March 1871 and attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment at Chichester on 14 November 1889, having previously served in the Regiment’s 3rd (Militia) Battalion. Posted to the 1st Battalion, he was advanced Lance Sergeant on 19 November 1894, before transferring to the 2nd Battalion, for service in India, on 14 February 1896. He served in India from that date, and was promoted Sergeant on 4 April 1896, subsequently seeing active service on the Punjab Frontier during the Tirah campaign. Returning home on 7 October 1898, Kemp reverted to the 1st Battalion on that date, and served with them in Malta and then in South Africa during the Boer War from 19 February 1900 to 16 October 1902. He was promoted Colour Sergeant on 20 September 1902, before transferring to the Unattached List for employment as 2nd Class Sergeant Instructor of the Agra Volunteer Rifles.

Kemp was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 14 November 1907, whilst serving as 1st Class Sergeant Instructor of the Eastern Bengal Volunteer Rifles, and was discharged in the rank of Acting Sergeant Major on 27 April 1912, after 22 years and 166 days’ service.

Following the outbreak of the Great War Kemp was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers on 18 October 1916, and served during the Great War as Commandant of the 27th Mule Corps, Supply and Transport Corps, Indian Army from 6 January to 21 November 1917, and then as Commandant of the 41st Mule Corps from 22 November 1917. Advanced Acting Captain on 1 October 1918, he saw active service on the North West Frontier during the Third Afghan War, before being released from Military Services on 2 May 1921.

Sold with copied service papers, medal roll extracts, and other research.