Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Frederick Albert Kemp -

Isle of Wight County Press

12 December 1914

LETTERS FROM ISLAND POLICEMEN AT THE FRONT
Gunner George Priddle of Z Battery, R.H.A., attached to the 3rd Cavalry Division, formerly a constable at Cowes, writes to P.C. F. Kemp, of Cowes, from the Front: "We have been out here since November 5th and have been in action for several days, but are having a rest for a day or two." He mentions that he has had two brothers at the Front, and another in the Navy. He adds: "I expect we shall see a good many fresh faces in the Force when we return. I have met several old pals since we have been out here in different batteries. We have heard this morning that the German Emperor has poisoned himself. Of course it is only a rumour."
Another ex-Cowes Policeman, Shoeing-Smith Matthews, R.H.A., has written to P.C. Kemp from the Front stating that he is well.

Isle of Wight County Press

13 February 1915

SPECIAL CONSTABLE'S DEATH - On Sunday the death occurred at the Police-station of Special Constable Herbert Sivier, who had been engaged as a constable since the depletion of the ranks of the Island Constabulary on account of the war. The deceased, who was only 20, was a very steady and promising young fellow, formerly in the employ of Messrs Dear and Morgan. He was on duty on Friday, when he complained of having a cold. The following mrning he was reported seriously ill with double pneumonia. He was attended by Dr. Hudson, but his condition rapidly became worse, and he passed away in the presence of his parents on Sunday afternoon. He was the son of Mr and Mrs George Sivier, of Park-road, for whom much sympathy is felt. The funeral took place at Northwood Cemetery on Wednesday. The Rev. D.S.W. Nicholl (St. Mary's Church) officiated. A party from the Island Constabulary acted as bearers. The family mourners father and mother, Messrs. Alfred and Walter Sivier (brothers), Mrs. Suter (sister), and Mr. G. Suter (brother-in-law). The Island Constabulary were represented by Insp. Salter, Acting Sergt. Chisholm, P.C.'s Denham, Gamble, and Kemp (Cowes), and Corney (headquarters), and Temporary Constables P. Morgan, A. Leal, and Sibbick (Newport). Insp. Bignell was unable to attend due to illness. The following employées of Messrs. Dear and Morgan also attended: Messrs. W.F. Burnett, C.W. Allen, J.G. Balmbridge, W. Perkins, H. Parsons, Bull, W. French, E. Denham, C. Brooking, and H. Munt. The two principals of the firm, Messrs. J. Wright-Brown and J.G. May, were prevented from being present, the former due to indisposition and the latter being away on business. There were floral tributes from hsi sorrowing father, mother, and brothers; his affectionate sweetheart; Amy and George; mr. and Mrs. Suter, sen.; Mr. and Mrs. Bull; Mr. and Mrs. Rowe; Mr. Goble and daughter; "With deepest sympathy from the Cowes Police"; "With deep sympathy from the employées of Messrs. Dear and Morgan, in remembrance"; and "With sincere sympathy from Dear and Morgan.". The funeral arrangements were very efficiently carried out by Mr. W.G. Thomas.

Isle of Wight County Press

13 January 1917

SOLDIERS FROM THE POLICE FORCE
In accordance with general policy throughout the country, the four remaining young members of the I.W. County Constabulary of military age joined the Colours in the New Year, namely, P.Cs Kemp, Rogers, and Whillier (Cowes), and Corney (Head-quarters, Newport), and they are all in the Grenadier Guards. This makes 28 who have joined from the Island Police, 24 being regular and five temporary members of the Constabulary. ^[1]

Isle of Wight County Press

7 September 1918

Mr. Tom Kemp, of Fairlee-road, has received the sad news that his son Corpl. Fred Kemp, Coldstream Guards, aged 30, was killed on August 27. His officer writes: "We went over the top at 7 a.m., and I saw a good deal of him during the wait. He was a fine example to the men, being perfectly cool and in excellent spirits during the trying ordeal of waiting. He went over with his platoon and was shortly afterwards killed by a machine-gun bullet. He was a thoroughly good soldier and a splendid fellow, and was liked by both officers and men. By his death we have lost a friend whom it will be difficult to replace." He is the third member of the County Constabulary to fall in the war. He was stationed at Head-quarters and afterwards at Cowes. He joined up in January, 1917, and went to France in March. He was a single man, his sweetheart having met with a fatal accident at Cowes some months ago by falling from a window. He was a member of St. Paul's Brotherhood. A younger brother is serving.

The Police Review and Parade Gossip

Oct 4, 1918



CORPL. FRED KEMP, COLDSTREAM GUARDS

Killed on August 27th. He was formerly a Constable at Cowes, and is the third member of the Isle of Wight Constabulary to lose his life in the present war.

Portrait block by kind permission of the "Southampton and District Pictorial"