Albert was born on 4th January 1889 in Rickinghall to David Henry “Harry” and Emma Kemp née Largent.
Emma, Albert’s mother, married David Kemp in the July 1886. It would seem that he was a petty criminal and Albert, who had 8 siblings, was living with mother and his grandparents as his father was in prison. In 1870, his father David was sent to prison for 12 months for burglary. In 1882, David was again sent to prison for an attempt to commit rape and was sentenced to 2 years hard labour. (see David Henry Kemp’s details and filed records).
In the 1891 census. Albert, aged 2 is living with grandparents Abraham and Mary, Emma aged 23 (b. 1868) his mother, and a sibling Beatrice aged 3 who could also have been one of Emma’s children. There is no sign of his father, David.
In the 1901 census, Albert is still living Abraham Largent and his wife, Mary in The Street, Badwell Ash. He is aged 11 and presumably, a scholar but there is no sign of Emma, his mother.
David “Harry” and Emma lived at Church Walk, Bury St. Edmunds but in the 1911 census and during the War Albert lived with Albert and Mary Largent (Emma’s parents) in The Street, Badwell Ash where he is described as a farm labourer.
Military and War: Albert was a Private in the 10th Suffolk Regiment, No. 26706. According to the Service Record, it was stated that Albert was not fit enough to become an efficient soldier and only served for 3 months. Having been called up on 23rd February 1916, he was discharged on 7th June 1916. In the Reasons given for his discharge, Major W Keates states: “This man has been in “O Company” for 2 months. During this time he has done no work nor drills, will neither wash himself nor look after himself. He is absolutely useless and as for using a rifle is out of the question. Every possible means have been used to get him to take up his drills.” It’s even mentioned that he soils his clothes and the Major concludes that Albert if permanently unfit and is very unlikely to become an efficient soldier.
Post War: Albert died in August 1943. The death announcement in The Bury Free Press of 7th August 1943 simply said “Kemp – At 121 Priors Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Albert William Kemp aged 54 years” The funeral announcement was in the following week’s Bury Free Press of 14th August 1943.
