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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2014 17:23:32 GMT 12
Robert Peel is trying to locate any details and family members of his father's old No. 487 (NZ) Squadron pilot.
He was Wing Commander William Papillion Kemp DSO DFC, known as Bill.
Kemp was born at Russell in Northland on the 1st of March 1915. His service number was NZ403550.
He was a pilot in the Battle of Britain, and later flew Mosquitoes with the kiwi squadron. Kemp became a topdressing or agricultural pilot in Australia and he was killed in an air crash (wire strike?)near Gatton, Australia, on the 11th of January 1983.
Has anyone got an obituary or death notice that would provide family members? I believe from an online search I did there is an obituary held in the Auckland Public Library. Can someone please copy this for Robert (who lives in Denmark). He's currently travelling Northland trying to find family of Bill Kemp but it's a real longshot and unlikely given he lived for some time in Aussie before his death.
Any details or leads would be helpful. Robert can be emailed here:
robert@robertpeel.eu
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Post by Andy Wright on Jan 29, 2014 8:25:13 GMT 12
Is this the obit reference you found, Dave? www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=SEE_ALSO&QF0=Descriptors&QI0==%22Kemp,+William+Papillion,+1915-1983%22&XC=/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll&BU=&TN=LocHAM&SN=AUTO15269&SE=1624&RN=6&MR=0&TR=0&TX=1000&ES=0&CS=1&XP=&RF=Displayweb&EF=&DF=&RL=0&EL=0&DL=0&NP=2&ID=&MF=WPEngMsg.ini&MQ=&TI=0&DT=&ST=0&IR=45362&NR=0&NB=0&SV=0&SS=0&BG=&FG=&QS=&OEX=ISO-8859-1&OEH=ISO-8859-1 [2 of 5] Record ID 48136 Source Auckland star, 11 January 1983 p 3 Location ARC Microfilm ASK AT DESK, Abstract Obituary of former Battle of Britain pilot, William Papillion Kemp, ex-New Zealander, killed in air crash in Australia. Brief biographical details. Subjects Kemp, William Papillion, 1915-1983; Pilots; Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF); Obituary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [3 of 5] Record ID 48137 Source New Zealand herald, 13 January 1983 sec 1, p 8 Location ARC Microfilm ASK AT DESK, Abstract Obituary of former Battle of Britain pilot, William Papillion Kemp, ex-New Zealander, killed in air crash in Australia. Brief biographical details. Subjects Kemp, William Papillion, 1915-1983; Pilots; Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF); Obituary
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2014 8:33:39 GMT 12
Yes.
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Post by Andy Wright on Jan 29, 2014 8:39:33 GMT 12
No worries. I've done a search on the ATSB website - www.atsb.gov.au - and have only come up with one investigation in Queensland for the period January 1-15, 1983. Investigation number 198300001 refers to a fatal incident involving Piper PA 25-235 VH-PIK, 11km east of Gatton, on January 3. Crash was due to hitting wires as you mention above. There is a pdf "final report" at the link (if it works). No name is mentioned but the detail certainly correlates. I guess an examination of the local newspaper of the time will confirm whether it was our man or not. A sad way to end what must have been a great flying life. www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1983/aair/aair198300001.aspxThe pilot was engaged in the chemical spraying of several properties in the general vicinity of his own property near Gatton. After completing the spraying of two properties, the pilot began positioning the aircraft in order to spray his own crop. A witness observed the aircraft as it turned to the right and flew at low level beneath power lines across a highway. The aircraft was then seen to bank slightly to the right and strike another set of power lines on the opposite side of the highway. Two of the wires were broken and the third remained entangled with the aircraft. The aircraft struck the ground in an inverted attitude. The power lines struck by the aircraft had been erected about three weeks before the accident. They had been erected at the request of the pilot to service a portion of his property. He had flown under the wires on several occasions in the preceding three weeks.In "aircraft details" at the link it refers to the departure and destination as "Tenthill (3km S of Gatton)". I'm assuming this is/was the name of his property? Edit: no, looks like Tenthill is a small community near Gatton.
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Post by delticman on Jan 29, 2014 10:43:10 GMT 12
I never realised he was a Kiwi. He was a founding director of Agricultural Aviation (Ag-Av) in Queensland. This company still exits at Dalby run by Dave Boland. As early as 1950, Bill Kemp, Dick Young and Frank Denton had been involved in the idea of setting a up a company to dust and spray cotton in Eygpt and the Sudan. To gain some experience, Bill Kemp went to the United States dusting in the USA before going to Australia. Dick Young went on to work for Desert Locust Control and Fison Pest Control and then joined AgAv in 1955. The DH82A owned by the partnership was used in Egypt and then shipped to Australia. Bill Kemp left AgAv in 1956 to form his own company. In 1958 AgAv sold out to Crop Culture in England, the company of Jim McMahon and a couple of other guys.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jan 29, 2014 11:26:16 GMT 12
From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999:
KEMP, Wing Commander William Papillion, DSO, DFC. NZ403550; Born Russell, 1 Mar 1915; RNZAF 29 Sep 1940 to 17 Apr 1947; Pilot. Later Wg Cdr W P Kemp, DSO, DFC, RAF 1 Jul 1947 to 1951, 58843. Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (22 Feb 1944): [227 Sqn RAF (Beaufighter)] During operations in North Africa, this officer took part in very many sorties involving attacks on targets ranging from El Alamein to Tunisia. His success in that theatre include the destruction of a small supply ship and a Ju.88. More recently, Squadron Leader Kemp has completed many sorties over the Aegean Sea and has achieved excellent results. In January, 1944, he took part in an attack on an enemy vessel escorted by two armed ships. During the operation his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire which rendered the electrical system unserviceable. Nevertheless, Squadron Leader Kemp, who had sustained a wound in the foot from a piece of shrapnel, continued to attack until the operation was successfully completed, all three ships being hit and set on fire. Although in much pain and suffering from the loss of blood, Squadron Leader Kemp refrained from informing his leader of his injury. Displaying great fortitude and resolution he maintained formation throughout the homeward journey. Not until base was reached was anyone aware of his hurt. Squadron Leader Kemp displayed great courage and devotion to duty setting an example of a high order.
Citation Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (14 Sep 1945): [487 Sqn RNZAF (Mosquito)] Squadron Leader Kemp has participated in many hazardous sorties. He has destroyed much enemy road and rail transport and has always volunteered for the most dangerous and difficult missions in spite of enemy opposition and adverse weather. Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross Squadron Leader Kemp has completed many day and night intruder sorties. He is now on his third tour of operational duty and throughout has displayed high qualities of courage, leadership and devotion to duty. Wg Cdr Kemp flew with the following squadrons - 406 RCAF, 46 RAF, 227 RAF (all Beaufighter) and 487 RNZAF (Mosquito). Member of the ‘Goldfish’ and ‘Late Arrivals’ clubs. When delivering a Halifax to Algiers engine failure forced a ditching at sea 100 miles short of their destination. Reaching land after two days in a dinghy, Wg Cdr Kemp walked 10 miles to obtain help for a badly injured companion. CO 487 Sqn Aug-Sep 1945. Air Attaché, Greece, 1946. Died Brisbane, Australia, 11 Jan 1983, as the result of an aerial crop spraying accident.
Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2014 11:38:41 GMT 12
Thanks, interesting stuff chaps.
Ray, would that be the Frank Denton who flew in No. 75 Squadron (I think..)?
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Post by delticman on Jan 29, 2014 13:41:56 GMT 12
Frank Denton, yes. RC "Dick" Young may have been in the same Squadron as Bill at one time. RC Young was a Squadron Leader and awarded DFC. Source of this information. Aerial Ariculture in Australia by Derrick Rolland.
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Post by Andy Wright on Jan 29, 2014 14:23:30 GMT 12
Fascinating stuff, chaps, and his wartime service is an absolute wonder. Good to know Ag-Av still exists. Quite the legacy. Speaking of which, I am making enquiries to see if the Tiger imported from Egypt is still in Australia. Also, there is a William Kemp Park in Gatton but I think it may be for a local pioneer although it would be wonderful if it were named for WPK.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2014 16:42:52 GMT 12
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Post by Andy Wright on Jan 30, 2014 14:38:55 GMT 12
Thanks to Mick Raftery (OldFokker) here's some good detail on the Tigers Mr Kemp had: www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-470908.htmlAnd it looks like Mr Peel is now in Queensland: www.thechronicle.com.au/news/finding-out-about-your-familys-past/2154241/Wing Commander Richard Peel's son Robert is coming from Denmark to track down the history of his father's WWII pilot, Bill Kemp.
FINDING out about your family's past can be an interesting journey, but for one man it was also a very long one.
Robert Peel will arrive in Toowoomba today from Denmark, via New Zealand, in search of information on the man who piloted his father in a Second World War bombing raid on the Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen.
Flight Lieutenant Richard Peel and Squadron Leader William Papillon Kemp flew together in a de Havilland Mosquito on a March morning in 1945 with No. 487 New Zealand Squadron in the daring raid.
Despite losing one aircraft to a low-altitude crash, the raid went off with barely a hitch and intelligence declared it a success.
Flt Lieut. Peel had a long career in the Royal Air Force and even gave up his RAF rank in the accountant branch to become a pilot.
He finished his career as a Wing Commander and died in Denmark aged 81, but regularly spoke about the men he flew with before he died in 1987.
Nearly 70 years after that raid, Mr Peel is on the hunt for information on where Bill Kemp ended up and the story has led him around the globe to Gatton.
He discovered Bill Kemp had re-located to Australia and became the Lockyer Valley's first, and for a long time, only, aerial crop duster.
Sadly, he died in a crop dusting accident aged 63.
Tomorrow Mr Peel hopes to visit the pioneer's grave site.
While some veterans came home and refused to speak of the war, Richard Peel ignited a sense of curiosity in his son with the grand tales.
"When he was sort of dying, he gave me all his RAF stuff and often talked about the Second World War and [pilots] Kemp, Embry and Ellacombe," Mr Peel said.
"My dad felt the Second World War was a sort of adventure, like many others. Kemp was also like this.
"Also, I found, still alive, Ellacombe in UK, then I started looking for Kemp."
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Post by fwx on Jan 31, 2014 10:07:00 GMT 12
I know a family member, will see if they have any info, and are able to help Robert.
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m992460
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by m992460 on Jan 31, 2014 22:11:45 GMT 12
My wife is related to Bill Kemp, but only distantly.
Bill had two children by his first wife. They were Nicholas Mahoney Kemp who was born on July 23, 1957 and Fiona Kemp born on May 3, 1959. I do not know anything further about his children, nor do I know anything further about his first wife Helen Wynn.
He married 2nd Helen Lee. She was living in Queensland in 1994.
Bill was a great grandchild of Cornelius Mahoney (Irish Stonemason who immigrated to Australian in 1838) whom had numerous descendants that participated in WWI and WWII. Cornelius himself was the local brigade captain of the Prince of Wales Volunteer Light Horse in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Cornelius had two sons that immigrated to New Zealand, Cornelius and James. They were both trained as teachers, Cornelius continued teaching his entire adult life in New Zealand while James moved into newspapers. Cornelius had a daughter Isobel Mary Douglas Mahoney who married Alfred John Wood Kemp, Bill Kemps parents.
If you want any further information on Bill's Mahoney heritage, let me know.
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m992460
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by m992460 on Jan 31, 2014 22:27:40 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 31, 2014 22:38:43 GMT 12
Robert emailed this evening that he tracked down Bill's second wife and his son from the first marriage and spent four hours with them today. So he's in touch with them now and very happy. Thanks to everyone who helped out here.
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Post by oldfokker on Mar 19, 2014 13:52:59 GMT 12
Local cemetery and final resting place. A fascinating story and a memorable life. RIP
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Post by Andy Wright on Mar 19, 2014 15:19:55 GMT 12
Good on you, Mick. Sorry I couldn't post these sooner for you.
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Post by fwx on Mar 21, 2014 13:24:05 GMT 12
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Post by groundhog on Sept 5, 2014 22:40:19 GMT 12
Thanks to Mick Raftery (OldFokker) here's some good detail on the Tigers Mr Kemp had: www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-470908.htmlAnd it looks like Mr Peel is now in Queensland: www.thechronicle.com.au/news/finding-out-about-your-familys-past/2154241/Wing Commander Richard Peel's son Robert is coming from Denmark to track down the history of his father's WWII pilot, Bill Kemp.
FINDING out about your family's past can be an interesting journey, but for one man it was also a very long one.
Robert Peel will arrive in Toowoomba today from Denmark, via New Zealand, in search of information on the man who piloted his father in a Second World War bombing raid on the Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen.
Flight Lieutenant Richard Peel and Squadron Leader William Papillon Kemp flew together in a de Havilland Mosquito on a March morning in 1945 with No. 487 New Zealand Squadron in the daring raid.
Despite losing one aircraft to a low-altitude crash, the raid went off with barely a hitch and intelligence declared it a success.
Flt Lieut. Peel had a long career in the Royal Air Force and even gave up his RAF rank in the accountant branch to become a pilot.
He finished his career as a Wing Commander and died in Denmark aged 81, but regularly spoke about the men he flew with before he died in 1987.
Nearly 70 years after that raid, Mr Peel is on the hunt for information on where Bill Kemp ended up and the story has led him around the globe to Gatton.
He discovered Bill Kemp had re-located to Australia and became the Lockyer Valley's first, and for a long time, only, aerial crop duster.
Sadly, he died in a crop dusting accident aged 63.
Tomorrow Mr Peel hopes to visit the pioneer's grave site.
While some veterans came home and refused to speak of the war, Richard Peel ignited a sense of curiosity in his son with the grand tales.
"When he was sort of dying, he gave me all his RAF stuff and often talked about the Second World War and [pilots] Kemp, Embry and Ellacombe," Mr Peel said.
"My dad felt the Second World War was a sort of adventure, like many others. Kemp was also like this.
"Also, I found, still alive, Ellacombe in UK, then I started looking for Kemp."
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Post by groundhog on Sept 5, 2014 22:46:26 GMT 12
Hi, I'm James Mahoney, a great-grandson of Cornelius Mahoney, and a relative of Bill Kemp. My father, who died only four years ago, just a few weeks before his 90th birthday, used to tell me a few stories about Bill Kemp's Mosquito sorties. It sounded as though he was more than a bit of a daredevil. One of his tricks, according to Dad (his cousin) was to fly straight at enemy aircraft, firing his cannon, and then fly through the pieces when he hit them. (PS, don't know if this is possible. It could well be an embellishment. We are Irish, after all.) Des (my father) also used to talk about the Copenhagen raid.
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