2nd Lieutenant Basil Aubrey KEMP
9th Battalion Middlesex Regiment attached to the 1/7th (TF) Battalion

Date of birth: 22nd January 1898
Date of death: 3rd May 1917

Killed in action aged 19
Commemorated on the Arras Memorial Bay 7
He was born on at Nunhead in South East London on the 22nd of January 1898 the second son of Aubrey John Kemp, stockbroker and Member of the Stock Exchange, and Clara Georgina (nee Gearey) of 43 Park Side, Eltham in South London. He was christened on the 6th April of 1898 at St Mary Magdalene Church, Peckham.

He was educated at the Junior King’s School and at the King’s School Canterbury from September 1911 to December 1913.

He enlisted at 10 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn as Private 7180 in the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps on the 3rd of November 1915. At a medical examination, which was held n the 10th of October 1915, it was recorded that he was five feet ten inches tall and that he weighed 124lbs. He applied for a commission and was posted to No 14 Officer Cadet Battalion on the 30th of September 1916.

He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th Battalion Middlesex Regiment on the 24th of October 1916 and later served with the 8th Battalion. He embarked for France on the 20th of February 1917 where he was attached to the 1/7th Battalion of his regiment and joined them in the field at Bailleul on the 27th of February 1917.

On the 9th of April 1917 the 1/7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was involved in the attacks on the Hindenburg Line at Neuville Vitasse. They moved off at 11am and although the early part of the attack was successful the battalion on their flank failed in their objective which left the Middlesex men hopelessly exposed and they came under heavy machine gun fire in enfilade. The attack was a failure.

A note in the war diary on the 12th of April records Basil Kemp’s bravery that day: -

“Recommended for the Military Cross. 2nd Lt B.A. Kemp. This young officer, 19 years of age and under fire for the first time took over command of his company after the death of his company commander and carried to a successful conclusion plans decided up” (sic)

On the 3rd of May 1917 the 56th Division attacked German positions between Bois du Vert and the Cojeul River. The 1/7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was one of two leading battalions attacking between Cavalry Farm and Little Copse with their first objective being the enemy held position of Tool Trench. They had to top a small rise before sighting the trench and when they did they saw that the supporting artillery barrage had left the trench virtually untouched. The Germans were standing in it shoulder to shoulder ready to fire and poured a “withering fire” into the attackers. The survivors went to ground, taking cover in the many shell holes which pitted the area. Messages sent back from the officer commanding the men were “almost begging” for relief. In the event there was no relief and the men were pinned down until darkness when they trickled back to their start line. Casualties for the attack were seven officers killed, or missing believed killed, with four officers wounded and twenty five other ranks killed with one hundred and six wounded and fifty nine missing. Basil Kemp was among the missing.

A statement was later given by Private 24260 J. Ringham, 2/6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles): -

"On the 3rd of May 1917, about 4.30am I saw 2/Lieut. B.A. Kemp lying dead in front of Tool Trench, near Monchy-le-Preux. Tool trench was then in the hands of the enemy."

His death was not confirmed until May 1918.

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Eltham.
 

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