Name
Frederick Kempster
27 Feb 1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/10/1917
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
41863
Royal Irish Rifles
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
COJEUL BRITISH CEMETERY, ST. MARTIN-SUR-COJEUL
F. 6.
France
Headstone Inscription
NOT PARTED BUT GONE BEFORE
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Frederick Kempster was born in Tring on 27 Feb 1890 (baptised 14 Jul 1890) to Henry (known as Harry in some records) Kempster, coal carter, and Agnes (nee Poulton), his parents had married in 1888 but Agnes died in 1894. His sister Edith had been born in 1892.
Frederick’s father married Mary Ann (nee Fountain) in 1897.
On the 1891 Census the family of parents and Frederick were living at 10, King Street, Tring.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents (Harry & Mary A), Frederick,, Edith, John (born 1898) and Joseph (born 1900) were living 10, King Street, Tring.
On the 1911 Census Frederick was now a coal carter (as was his father) and was living with his parents at 16, Harrow yard, Tring with Edith, John, Joseph, Harry (born 1902), Margaret Jane (born 1904,) Percy Robert (born 1906) and Stanley Albert (born 1910).
Frederick married Rose Barber on 26 May 1912, there would be two children Alfred Frederick born 26 Oct 1912 and Thomas William born 18 Aug 1914.
Wartime Service
Frederick was enlisted in Jul 1916 as Private 29137 Essex Regiment No service record was found for him, at some time he became Rifleman 41863 in the Royal Irish Rifles and went join them in Mar 1917. He may have been involved the Battle of Messines (7-14 Jun 1917) when the Division together with the 36 (Ulster) Division captured Wytschaete. Frederick was killed on 2 Oct 1917 a period following his Division’s involvement in the Battle of Langemarck (16-18 1917) part of the 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele) Battles, the exact circumstances not clear but may have to the attrition of Trench Warfare.
This from the Bucks Herald 20th October 1917: ROLL OF HONOUR. − We have this week to announce with deep regret the loss of two men of the town, both of whom have been killed in action . . . . Rifleman F. Kempster, Royal Irish Rifles, killed in action October 2, leaves a wife and two children. His home was in King-street, and previous to the war he was employed as carter by Mr. William Lockhart, coal merchant. He was well known as a member of the local corps of the Salvation Army, and an instrumentalist in the band. The deepest sympathy is felt with the bereaved families.
From the Parish Magazine, November 1917: “Frederick Kempster, Rifleman, Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on October 2, 1917. Several of his friends sent a joint letter to his wife. They wrote ‘He was a good soldier and was well liked by his comrades. He died like a soldier, and his body now has a soldier’s grave somewhere in France’.
Frederick Kempster joined the Army in July 1916 and went to France in March 1917. He was a good fellow, and a consistent member of the Salvation Army, where for many years, he was a tenor player.”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £4 10s and arrears of £1 7s 4d was paid to his widow who also received a pensin of 22s 11d/ week for herself and children.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
