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Record #5787
Name :
: George Robert James KEMPSTER (1895 - 1976)


Father
:
Mother
:
BMD and other details
Date of Birth
: 21 Aug 1895

Marriage (1)
:
Marriage (2)
:

Date of Death
: 20 Jan 1976
Abode (1) : Place of BirthEngland, London, Bayswater

alls Pond Road
Abode (2) : Place of Death / BurialCanada, Woodstock
Sailing Information
Date of Arrival
: 21 Oct 1906
Country
: Canada

Ship
: Dominion

Placement Family
: Gresham; Westmans; Paisley
Homes / Agencys
Institution (GB)
:

Agency
: Barnardos
NotesIn 1906, George R J Kempster, 10, arrived at Quebec, Canada, in a group of 215 Barnardo children en route to Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

His grandson, James Kempster, related:

His great-nephew, James Kempster, told his story:

George Kempster was the seventh of seven children born to Joseph Kempster (1847-1897) and Jane Kempster (1849-1923). He was born on 21 August 1895 where his father worked as a milk carrier.

On 25 December 1897, Joseph died of asthma and bronchitis at age 50. His wife Jane was left to support their three youngest children, Susan aged 12, Frederick aged 8, and George aged 2. Jane tried to earn a living doing housework and laundry. She moved her family to a one room apartment in Islington, but she could not earn enough, got behind in the rent and was evicted. At this point, Susan was taken in by her eldest sister Emily (Kempster) Sims and her husband, and Jane applied for help at Barnardo's Commercial Street Shelter in the East End of London for the two boys, so she could find employment in domestic service. Frederick Kempster with his younger brother George Kempster were admitted to Barnardo's on 10 September 1898, at which time both boys were reported to be in good health.

When the boys came into Barnardo's care in September 1898, they were placed in the Receiving House in Stepney, East London.

George's placements according to Barnardo's records were:

with Mr. George Darling, Winchester, Ontario, 22 October 1906;
with Mrs. Dent, Gresham, Ontario, 22 July 1909;
with Mr. Everitt Westmans, Gresham, Ontario, May 1912;
with Mr. Tom Foster, Paisley, Ontario, 1914;
and, with Mr Richard Christie, Paisley, Ontario, November 1914

On February 5, 1915, George Kempster, 19, enlisted in Canadian Mounted Rifles on February 5, 1915. He declared that he was born in London, England; that his next of kin was his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Kempster, who resided in London, England; that he was born August 6, 1896; that he was a farmer; and that he was not married. He was described as 5 ft 9-1/2 inches in height; light complexion; blue eyes; and light brown hair. He was a member of the Presbyterian faith.

George was severely wounded in his leg before October, 1916. He required 4 operations to save his leg and then returned to fighting in Europe in 1918.

In 1923, George was working for Mr. William John Ross in Paisley, Ontario, Canada.

On March 19, 1924, at Glamis, Bruce, Ontario, Canada, a marriage was registered between George Robert James Kempster, 26, farmer, born in England to (father's first name unknown) Kempster and Ruth Mcdonald; and Louise Ross, 22; born in Greenock Township, Bruce, Ontario, Canada, to William John Ross and Louise Mawhinney.

George and Louise Kempster had 3 children: Dorothy Kempster; Robert George Kempster; and Helen Kempster.

George Kempster died on January 20, 1976, at Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. 
ContributorsCreated : 2009-03-26 13:55:28 / From original database

Last Updated : 2011-12-15 16:00:16 /

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Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  2 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
15565 KEMPSTER, Frederick John1889ENG, LND, Bayswater Apr 1899 : Scotsman CAN Barnardos pinefamily  
5787 KEMPSTER, George Robert James1895ENG, LND, Bayswater Oct 1906 : Dominion CAN Barnardos