Trafford

Born in Ashton upon Mersey on the 4th July 1924, the birth being registered
during the September quarter 1924 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/290, the
second son of Arthur Taylor and Dorothy Kempt (nee Mozley).  He was
baptised at St. Martin's P.C. on the 15th August 1924.

His father originated from Woolwich, London where he had worked as a
Vulcaniser for motor tyres.  He and his family moved to the Manchester area
where he worked as a salesman, then supplying to or working at the Ford
Motor Company in Trafford Park.  By 1914 the family had moved to Beech
Road, Sale Moor and by 1931 had moved again, this time to 10 Oaklea Road,
Ashton upon Mersey.  Soon after, Ford's opened their new production plant
at Dagenham, Essex and the family moved with the work down to Gale Street,
Dagenham.

1939 National Registration - 46 Gale Street, Dagenham, Essex.    Arthur T.
Kempt - Married - born on the 14th December 1891 - occ: Motor Car Assembly.
  Dorothy L. Kempt - Married - born on the 19th April 1891 - occ: Unpaid
Domestic Duties.  Barbara O. Kempt - Single - born on the 29th September
1912 - occ: Knitwear Mender & Finisher.   The next record is redacted and
this could be Donnie's record???   Kathleen M. Kempt - Single - born on the
19th November 1921 - occ: Shorthand Typist.

His paternal uncle - William Kempt, married a local girl and moved to 107
High Street, Woolwich, but the rest of the family moved back up to 3 Chapel
Lane, Ashton upon Mersey.

On reaching call-up age in 1942, he was posted to the 1st Battalion, The
Loyal Regiment, who were serving in Italy.  Promoted to the rank of Lance
Corporal and in May 1944, took part in the "Breakout from the Anzio
Bridgehead".   On the 15th August 1944, his Battalion occupied Florence,
then fought against fierce German resistance on the steep slopes up to
Fiesole.   Early in September 1944, the Germans retreated back to their
next defensive position - The Gothic Line.   Donnie's Battalion fought
against actions at Poggio dei Ronchi, Monte Carnvale and were involved in
the capture of Monte Gamberaldi, defending the summit of Monte Ceco against
a German counter-attack.

Donnie was killed on the 24th September and buried along with three of his
comrades in a battlefield cemetery, being re-interred on the 15th May 1945
in the Faenze War Cemetery.

M.I. "So Dearly Loved and Sadly Missed"

Cenotaph lists name as D.A. Kempt, as does St. Martin's Memorial.