Kempster, Andre Gilbert

Date of birth:: October 26th, 1916 (Westminster, London, Great Britain)
Date of death:: August 21st, 1943 (Philippeville, Algeria)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Cemetery Bone
Plot: II. Row: D. Grave: 1.
Nationality:: British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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George Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Major
Unit:: 145th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (8th Duke of Wellington's Regiment), 21st Tank Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:: November 9th, 1943

On August 21, 1943, near Phillipeville Algeria, Major Kempster was carrying out grenade throwing practice with two others in the same pit. A grenade which was thrown by Major Kempster rolled back into the pit. Major Kempster attempted to scoop the grenade out of the pit but failed to do so. By this time detonation was due. Without hesitation Major Kempster threw himself on the grenade just before it exploded and received fatal injuries. By his self-sacrifice, Major Kempster undoubtedly saved the lives of the two other occupants of the pit. Major Kempster’s act meant certain death, and he must have known this at the time. His was a supreme act of gallantry.

Major Kempster's George Cross was sold by Spinks on 28th March 1995 for an expected price of £2,800 - £3,200.