Colin Roy (Roy) KEMP

KEMP, Colin Roy

Service Number: 406856
Enlisted: 28 April 1941
Last Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Last Unit: No. 43 Squadron (RAAF)
Born: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, 6 April 1914
Home Town: Swanbourne, Nedlands, Western Australia
Schooling: Perth Modern School
Occupation: Public Servant
Died: Perth, Western Australia, 6 May 2002, aged 88 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

28 Apr 1941: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406856
21 Jun 1941: Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman
8 Jan 1942: Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Air Observer
1 Oct 1942: Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer
1 Apr 1943: Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF)
1 Oct 1944: Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, No. 43 Squadron (RAAF)
24 Jul 1945: Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406856

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Biography contributed by Chris Buckley

Flight Lieutenant Colin Roy Kemp (Service No:406856) enlisted in the RAAF as an Aircraftman II on 28 April 1941 (he had enlisted in the RAAF Reserve on 13 May 1940). Flight Lieutenant Kemp was promoted through the ranks (LAC in June 1941; Air Observer in January 1942; Pilot Officer in October 1942; Flying Officer in April 1943 and Flight Lieutenant in October 1944). Flight Lieutenant Kemp completed thirty operational sorties with No 11 and No 43 Squadrons and in 1944 was one of a detachment of RAAF fliers to bring Catalinas from America to Australia. Described (National Archives Australia) as 'A competent officer, has a good service outlook, willing and adaptable. A good all-round sportsman', Flight lieutenant Kemp was attached to 3 Air Observer School when he was Discharged on 24 July 1945.

The second of three children, Roy was born in 1914 in Kalgoorlie WA to Walter (Wally) Kenneth Kemp (b1884 in Picola, Moira, Victoria) and Alberta Louisa Gilham (b1886 at Fyan's Creek nr Stawell, Victoria). Wally (a Painter with WAGR) and Alberta married in 1907 in Coolgardie WA. Wally worked all his life as a Painter with WAGR, and he and his family moved to Claremont in the 1920s.

Roy was a Public Servant working for the Minister for Lands in Perth when he enlisted in the RAAF. He was in Mitchum, South Australia in 1942 when he married Miriam Lorraine Johnson (b1918 in Mitcham, SA) - Miriam was a Clerk. By 1949 Roy and Miriam had settled in Perth WA where Roy worked as a Civil Servant, Insurance Clerk and Hotel Proprietor. Roy died in 2002 and Miriam in 2003.

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