Leonard was born in Newton Flotman Norfolk on 1 July 1883 to Maria and Charles Kemp. His father was a gamekeeper and later a farm labourer. He was baptised in Newton Flotman Church on 15 June 1884
He had seven siblings.
Ernest born1882
Lilly Annette born 1886, died aged 9 months 1886
Horace born 1890
Eva born 1891
Elsie born 1894
Thurzey born 1898 died 1903
The family lived on the Turnpike, Saxlingham Thorpe. In 1901 Leonard was working as a milk boy on a cattle farm. In 1911 he was still living at home, aged 27 and was working as a farm labourer.
Except for Eva who was working in London as a maid his siblings were also still living at the same address. Ernest was a teamster like his father, Archibald, a market gardener’s labourer, Horace a grocer’s assistant and Elsie was a children’s nurse.
In 1915 he married Ethel Nora Nicholson, born 20 January 1886.
In 1911 Ethel was living in Saxlingham Nethergate with her widowed uncle, Robert Brighton and her two year old niece. She was employed as his house keeper. Her sister Annie had married James Wade and the family had moved to live and work in America in 1906. They had returned after five years and some of the family were living in Long Stratton with James’ parents. Nora Wade was living with Ethel and her great uncle in Saxlingham, presumably because of lack of space elsewhere. It is assumed that Ethel met Leonard whilst living in the village.
Leonard’s service records have not survived so it is not known when he joined the army. It is assumed because of the medals that he received that it was not until after 1915. He joined the 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, service number 40641. He served in France.
On 5 October 1917 he was admitted to hospital with inflammation of the connective tissue of his feet. He was transferred to the Corps Rest Station. It is not known how long he was in hospital.
In a report of 17 September 1918 it was stated that he was allowed to wear a wound stripe. This means that he had received a significant wound but it is not known where or in what way he was wounded.
He returned to live in Saxlingham after the war. The electoral rolls for Saxlingham for 1920-1931 show that he lived in 3 Mill Cottages in 1920 and at Riverside in 1931.
Mill Cottages, Saxlingham Thorpe. The Kemp family lived in the cottage on the left.
The photograph was taken between 1959 and 1964. The cottages were demolished when the A140 road was widened
In 1933 he is listed in Kelly’s Directory of Norfolk as being a market gardener.
In 1939 he lived in Cargate Lane, Saxlingham Nethergate and was working as a poultry farmer.
It is not known if they had any children.
He died in June 1966 in Norwich aged 82 years.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriages, death index 1837-2005
British Army Medal Roll Index cards 1914-1920
1939 Register – www.findmypast.co.uk
UK Census collection
Norfolk Electoral Rolls, Absent Voters List, Saxlingham Nethergate
1918-1920
Norfolk Electoral Rolls, 1922- 1927
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Baptismal Records, Newton Flotman
UK, City and County Directories- Kelly’s Directory 1933
www.forces-war-records.co.uk-military-hospital-records
Tick/Dade family tree www.ancestry.co.uk
Photograph of Mill Cottages, courtesy of Stephen Hunt. The Hunt and Thrower families also lived in this row of cottages. The Hunt family in the middle cottage and the Thrower family on the right
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk