A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

Pair: Second Lieutenant G. H. Kemp, No. 20 Squadron, Royal Air Force, and Durham Light Infantry, an Ace Observer with 12 victories to his credit, killed in aerial combat on 1 June 1918

British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut., R.A.F.); together with memorial plaque (George Hubert Kemp); related British War and Victory Medals (136695 Pte. L. N. Kemp, M.G.C.); and a quantity of original photographs, including several pictures of Kemp’s original grave marker made from a propeller, extremely fine (5) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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George Hubert Kemp was born in London in 1898, and educated at the Roan School, Greenwich. Prior to joining the forces he was engaged with the Port of London Authority. He received a commission in the Durham Light Infantry in 1917, and whilst serving with this regiment was wounded at Cherisy. Second Lieutenant Kemp transferred to the R.A.F. in 1918, and on recovery from his wounds was posted to No. 20 Squadron. He enjoyed great success as an observer, flying with Captain W. M. Thomson, M.C., D.F.C., notching up some twelve victories before his death. He was killed in aerial combat on 1 June 1918, and is buried at Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery, France. His pilot, Captain Thomson survived this action and indeed the whole war, moving on to a total of 26 enemy planes destroyed.

All of Kemp’s victories were gained between 9 May 1918 and 1 June 1918. The following details deal with some of these victories, and are extracted from official sources:

9 May 1918: Cut off from formation by an E.A. scout, emptied a whole drum into the E.A. which side slipped and nose dived, eventually crashing into the ground between Comines and Wervicq.

14 May 1918: Followed one E.A. scout down to 4,000 feet, fired about 100 rounds at E.A. at close quarters, Kemp observed the E.A. crash into the ground.

17 May 1918: While on an offensive patrol with other Bristol fighters, engaged a formation of E.A. scouts. Dived on one E.A. and fired a burst of about 200 rounds into it. The E.A. went down in a vertical dive and crashed between Armintieres and Lille.

19 May 1918: An offensive patrol of 20 Squadron engaged about 20 E.A. Thomson dived on a Pfalz scout, Kemp firing three drums into this machine which crashed on a house at Estaires.

1 June 1918: Cut off from their patrol and attacked by four E.A. Lieutenant Thomson turned and fired 200 rounds into one of these which was seen to crash, and Lieutenant Kemp fired at another at very close range which was also shot down. They were then attacked from above by an Albatros scout, Kemp being fatally wounded, Thomson spinning down to 2,000 feet, turned and attacked the Albatros, which was still following him, and drove it off. He then successfully brought his plane home.

The following is extracted from a photocopied letter written the Squadron C.O., which is included with the lot: ‘You have no doubt been advised by the War Office that your son has unfortunately been killed in action. It happened during a fight with about 15 enemy machines. One enemy machine with the sun behind him surprised your son and his pilot and dived on them before anything could be done. Before your son was killed however he had shot down one of the enemy machines and his pilot eventually shot down another. He and his pilot have done excellent work together and both have been recommended for awards. I am particularly sorry to lose your son as he was just the type of conscientiously brave officer that one looks forward to having. He was extraordinarily keen on his work and looked forward to the day when he could learn to fly himself. Death must have been instantaneous as he was hit in the head and heart...’

Sold with a quantity of copied research material, including photocopies of a number of original documents and photographs which are presumably still retained by the family.