From the next City Coins auction, November 2020
ABO (Burger C.J. Kemp)
BWM (Pte. C. J. Kemp, Graaff Reinet Cdo.)
Charles Jacobus Kemp served in Comdt Scheepers’ Commando and was one of the men captured at Onbedacht. He is No 16 on the photo above. There are discrepancies about his length of commando service. On Vorm “B” Kemp stated that he joined on 3 June 1901 and was captured on 20 June 1901.
Lt Col S. W. Pyper, when he signed the Vorm “B” noted that Kemp was unlucky to be captured as he was on commando for only a short while prior. The PoW Register records him as PoW No 24821 but no dates are given.
In “The Rebel Record” by T & D Shearing, his entry reads: Kemp, Charles (Sarel) Jacobus. Bankplaats, Aberdeen. Joined Scheepers’ commando on 12-7-1901. He was rebel for one day as he was captured at Onbedacht on 13-7-1901. PoW No 24821. Sentenced to death in Graaff-Reinet on 6-7-1901(this should read 30-7-1901), commuted to PS life on Bermuda for Htarms. RC reduced sentence to 3 years. Returned to Tokai Gaol, and was held there until amnesty was granted during March 1903.
As a “Smuts man” Kemp joined the Graaff Reinet Commando for service in German South West Africa on 17 January 1915. He could not have seen much active service as he was admitted ill to Upington Hospital on 12 March 1915 with a fractured right tibia & fibula, with condition deemed “the result of service”. He spent 3 months in hospital at Upington and Kimberley and was subsequently granted 6 weeks sick leave in a Rest Camp. He received a 1914-15 trio but, as often happened, the Star and AVM were probably given to another family member after his demise.
