Son’s story

By Peter Kemp

Son of Cpt. Herbert Kemp, VX 39045, HQ Coy, F Force

"We Will Remember Them"

Earlier this year I responded to a notice in the newsletter regarding the sale of 2023 2/29th Battalion Calendars.

It had significance due to the fact that my wife and I were moving to our new apartment at John Flynn Retirement Village, which is part of the Ryman Group, who sponsors the calendar.

As the son of Changi P.O.W. Captain Herbert Kemp, I read about and viewed the photos with great interest obviously.

Whilst my wife was viewing the calendar she drew my attention to the ‘May’ page, to a group of women and some children.

She immediately pointed out to me that the lady on the far right was my mother, then I realised that the boy to the bottom right of the image is me. This is confirmed by family photos around the time of my father’s return.

0bviously as an 18-month-old I don’t recall Dad leaving Australia, and Mum and I lived in Armadale during the war.

I recall Mum and I being driven overnight to Sydney by a family friend and his wife with the hope of seeing Dad on arrival back in Australia and staying in a flat in Rose Bay. I think the visit was futile and they had to be content with a distant wave.

My next recollection is being with my family when Dad arrived at the Melbourne Showgrounds. I will never forget the fragile physique of him and his friends.

Story has often been recalled at family gatherings that at the celebrations that proceeded during the evening, this now 5-year-old was contained and finally silenced by an over consumption of champagne.

I vividly recall Dad being in and out of Caulfield Repatriation Hospital many times over the years after returning home.

Fast forward to proudly applauding Dad on many Anzac Day marches, originally in the afternoon, and these days in the morning.

In recent years, together with my granddaughter, I have joined other descendants marching on Anzac Day, apart from a few years following hip surgery, during which time I was an RACV driver for disabled and incapacitated returned servicemen and women.