Gnr. John Reith "Jock" Kemp
British Army 178th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery
from:Glasgow
John Kemp was my Grandfather. He grew up in Glasgow and joined the Army there. He later moved to Derby, where he spent the majority of his life. His first deployment was in early 1942. He boarded a ship in Glasgow and had no idea where the regiment was headed. During the trip they were diverted to South Africa. He later found out he was bound for Singapore, but it fell before they arrived. He spent 1942 in Cape Town. He was a very fine violin player and I have a letter from the Cape Town Director of municipal arts, sent to John's superior, requesting that he be allowed to play with the orchestra whenever possible. I am currently unsure of his whereabouts in 1943. In 1944 and 1945 he fought in Italy, including at Anzio. I have several pictures of men in the regiment at Anzio bridgehead, standing in fox holes that they have dug.
I have the regiment's Christmas celebration pamphlet from 1944. Entertainment included singing, monologues, a violin solo from my Grandfather, and a Cinderalla Pantomime. Evidently a lot of effort went into the celebration. Other people mentioned in the photos are 'Mac' (short for MacDonald I think), Teddy Hunter, Pettifer, Hecky McIver and Dosvaldo Nelly. John Kemp died in 2012.
John Kemp.
In Rome, John Kemp on the left.
John Kemp performing Violin Solo possibly at Christmas show.
The NAAFI club in Solerno
1944 Teddy in middle, John Kemp, Mac bottom left.
Castel Luchich, Salerno 1944
Dosvaldo Nelly on Anzio Beachead, 1944.
Teddy Hunter at Anzio Bridge Head 1944.
Teddy Hunter and Geoff at Anzio 1944.
Hecky, 1945.
McDonald and Teddy Hunter
Teddy at leave camp May 1944.
Mac at Santa Maria Villiano April 1945
Lake Garda May 1945, VE Day Boys of RHQ 178th Medium Regiment RA.
