Thomas Kempson was one of a family of seven children of whom three died at birth, William in 1891, Gerald in 1892, and Norman in 1894. There were four living children, Thomas b. 1889, his brothers Albert b.1894, and Reginald b.1897, and sister Constance Amelia b.1886. Thomas was a Commercial Traveller by occupation, 5' 11" tall, and Church of England by religion. He had been born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, but at the time he enlisted on 28 August, 1916, he was a married man, living probably in Bairnsdale, the address he gave for his next of kin, his wife Hazel, nee Rodda.They had married in 1913, and in 1914, had a daughter, Mollie Knowles Kempson.
Tom Kempson was assigned to the newly formed Australian Flying Corps 4th Squadron as a mechanic. The 4th Squadron was established at Point Cook, Victoria in late October, 1916, following the decision at the Imperial Conference in London in 1919 that avaiation should be developed by national armed forces of the British Empire. In 1913, Australia was the first to establish a Central Flying School, recruiting pilots mechanics in 1912. On 12 January, the crew embarked for overeseas and was sent for further training at Castle Bromwich, Birming ham. Here they were equipped with Sopwith Camel fighters, and sent out to harass the German troops with strafing and bombing in support of the Allied forces.
Tom Kempson was not part of that first group, but sailed to England on on the H.T. Omrah on 17 January, 1917. On 27 March, he disembarked at Plymouth and marched in to the Australian Flying Corps Depot at Perham Downs. On 2 April, he was transferred to the 71st Squadron A.F.C. and sent to CVastle Bromwich with the rest of the crew. From there, they left England for France and the battlefields disembarking on 16 December, 1917. Here, on 17 May, 1918, Thomas moved into being a storeman, then on 1 July, to Corporal/Storeman. On 1 July, he changed jobs, appointed an Air Mechanic, then 1 August, Corporal/Driver, and on 1 September, Acting Sergeant.
On 9 September, 1918, Tom Kempson was granted leave, and went to Nice, returning to duty on 20 August. When the war came to an end on 11 November, a huge logistical problem faced the authorities in getting men and equipments back to England. Thomas Kempson was returned to England, disembarking from France at Folkestone on 28 February and reporting in to A.I.F. headquarters. On 11 April, he rejoined the 4th Squadron Australian Flying Corps returned from France. On 6 May, they left England to return to Australia. They were released form the armed forces on 16 June, 1919 and discharged from further military duty on 24 July.
Thomas Kempson was to sign up again when World War 2 was declared and served with the R.A.A.F for the duration of that war. In 1925, he made a successful application for a War Services home. He and Hazel were then living at St. Arnaud, Victoria. His death is unknown,
Brother to Albert Victor Kempson
Thanks to the Jago family for their research on the two brothers.