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404494: SERGEANT REGINALD ANDREW KEMP.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. A.R. KEMP of ELTHAM, TARANAKI.

Reginald Kemp was born at Eltham on the 12th September, 1920 and received his secondary education at the Statford Technical High School where he passed both the University Entrance and School Certificate examinations. He furthered his education by studying accountancy with Hemingway's Correspondence School, Auckland. The sports in which he was actively interested Hockey, Cricket, and was a member of the Eltham Alpine Club. His civilian occupation was that of a clerk in the employ of the Farmer's Co-operative Society of N.Z. Ltd., Eltham and was so employed when on the 18th January, 1940 he made application for training as aircrew with the R.N.Z.A.F. He was a member of the Territorial Forces serving with the 1st Taranaki Regiment.

Sergeant Kemp enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 23rd November, 1940 and on the completion of the initial course he embarked on the 6th January, 1941 aboard the "Empress of Russia" for Canada to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada Sergeant Kemp was posted on the 23rd January, 1941 to No. 4 Air Observer's School, London, Ontario and on the 13th of April he proceeded to No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, Fingal, Ontario. On the conclusion of the course on the 25th May, 1941 at this latter station he was posted to No. 1 Advanced Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba, where on the 26th May, he was awarded the Air Observer's Badge and promoted to Sergeant. He proceeded on the 30th June to No. 1 "M" Depot, Debert, Nova Scotia to await embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Sergeant Kemp arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 29th July, 1941 and on the 16th August he proceeded to No. 19 Operational Training Unit, Kinloss Morayshire.