The Soldier's Details

Prior to enlisting AIF, Eddie joined Toodyay 10th Light Horse Militia.

He enlisted AIF 10 Aug 1940 later joining 2/4th’s ‘D’ Company No. 15 Platoon becoming one of 4 Corporals under Commanding Officer Lt. Meiklejohn who was KIA 8 Feb 1942 when the Japanese first invaded Singapore. 15 Platoon was out of ammunition.   Platoon Sgt Solly was KIA and Sgt Tregenza later d. Burma-Thai Railway.  The Japanese were now on the Island and 15 Platoon was trying to fight their way out of the coast.  Eddie was wounded in action 10 Feb fighting his way out from the west coast.  He received a shrapnel wound to bicep of his left arm.

From Eddie Kemp ……dawn of 10 Feb 1942

“Jack Tregenza and I got through the melee, I think the only ones to do so, and we kept going along the path.  Some time later we were halted by an Aussie sentry.  He took us to Platoon HQ and we couldn’t believe our eyes!  The Platoon Commander had a  Tilley Lamp alight and some of the men were asleep.  We tried to tell him what was happening, that the Japs were on the Island, but he wouldn’t listen, suggesting we had left our guns.  Technically he was right of course but no way could be convince of what had happened.  Angry and frustrated we were finally handed over to a Sgt who gave us some grenades and posted us on the perimeter.  It was on the opposite side to where the Japs were advancing and this proved advantageous to us.  The Japs attacked soon after with automatic fire and hand grenades and catching the post unprepared quickly overran it.  Being on the rear perimeter we were able to break off again and we took to another jungle path.  By daybreak we had reached a waist deep swamp.  Through this we can to a river and I was unable to swim.  Jack swam over and brought back a boat.  While he was away about 30 British soldiers arrived.  They were carrying their Major who was in a bad way.  Most were able to cross but a couple with heavy packs didn’t make it.  The Japs were closing in but we were able to make our way through and eventually made contact with our Battalion again.”

Please read further about D Company 15 Platoon

As  POW Singapore he was initially accommodated Selarang Camp before leaving with work party to Johore Bahru and Adam Park, on which many 2/4th men went.

He was selected to work on Thai-Burma Railway with D Force Thailand S Battalion departing Singapore Railway Station 14 Mar 1943 for Thailand.

Please read about D Force Thailand S Battalion

When the war ended Eddy was recovered from Nakom Nayok Camp, Thailand.

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Anzac Day after 1946.  L-R Claude Knott, Eddie Kemp, thought to be Harry Bunker and unknown.

Eddie and Toodyay 10th Light Horse with other 2/4th boys Mick Geary, Tom Tonkins.

Eddy had married about 1928 to Annie Florence Bridle at Busselton.  Eddy and Annie had two sons.  Charles Alfred Kemp and Robert Maxwell Kemp born 1933.  Robert tragically died in 1933.

Eddy’s father Albert James Kemp died 1974 Melville.  His mother Rachael died at Busselton in 1962.  They had married Dec 1905 St Luke’s Church, Victoria Docks, Canning Town, West Ham, Essex.

Eddy was the eldest followed by brother Albert Henry who was born 1910 West Ham, Essex.  The Kemp family then migrated to New Zealand where third son George William was born in 1913.

The family then moved to WA where Ruby May was born in 1920 at North Fremantle followed by youngest son Eric James Kemp born in 1922 (WX25996 – he also enlisted).

Eddy passed away aged 96, April 24 2003, at Hollywood Hospital.