Description
Queen’s South Africa, no bar, China 1900, bar Relief of Pekin, Timothy Walter Kemp, Stoker, HMS Terrible, Royal Navy, who took part in the Relief of Pekin with the Naval Brigade.
Both officially impressed: “T.W. Kemp, Sto. H.M.S. Terrible.”
Confirmed on the medal rolls for both medals and the clasp to the China.
With copy service papers.
Timothy was a member of the “Service Company” of the HMS Terrible who left the ship to take part in the operations to relieve the Legations at Peking with the Naval Brigade who were attached to the China Relief Expedition.
He is of course mentioned in the book The Commission of HMS Terrible as a member of the Naval Brigade.
Timothy Walter Kemp was born on 24th July 1878 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
His father also named Timothy was a Blacksmith in the area.
Timothy attested for service with the Royal Navy on 8th November 1897 as Stoker 2nd Class.
He joined HMS Terrible on 18th December 1898.
During his time on board he was advanced to Stoker on 1st April 1899.
He served on board until 25th October 1902, having served throughout the 3rd Anglo China War aka the Boxer Rebellion, and the Anglo Boer War.
After leaving the Terrible he saw service on various other ships.
HMS Firequeen, 1st Oct 1903 -21st Dec 1903
HMS Warrior, 22nd Dec 1903 – 31st March 1904
HMS Erebus, 1st April 1904 – 7th Feb 1905
HMS Firequeen, 11th Feb 1905 – 21st Feb 1905
HMS Assistance, 22nd Feb 1905 – 9th Dec 1905
HMS Essex, 10th Dec 1905 – 19th March 1906.
HMS Victory II, 20th March 1906 – 7th Sept 1906. During this time promoted to Stoker 1st Class on 1st July 1906.
HMS Britannia, 8th Sept 1906 – 12th October 1908.
HMS Victory II, 13th Oct 1907 – 18th Jan 1909
HMS Hecla, 19th Jan 190 – 31st Jan 1911
HMS Blake, 1st Feb 1911- 6th April 1911.
At this time he discharged from the Royal Navy, being returned on outbreak of the war at HMS Victory II but only served from 2nd August 1914 until 28th August 1914, a note on his papers recalls being invalided out at Haslar Hospital, so received no medals.
After leaving the Navy he settled in Salisbury, New Sarum, Wiltshire, shown living there with his wife Lilian during 1921, he had married just before leaving the Navy in Portsmouth during 1909.
At that time he was a Time Keeper and Assistant Storeman for Messrs Fussell and Co Ltd Milk Manufacturers.
He died in Fisherton Anger, Wiltshire during 1929.
