© Dorking Museum
Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research
Isaac Richard Alfred James Kempshall was born on 9th November 1889 in Capel to agricultural labourer Isaac and Sarah. Isaac was baptised on 23rd February 1890 at St Peter’s church in Newdigate, Surrey. At the time of his baptism, the family lived in Capel and Isaac snr was working as a labourer.
Isaac’s father, Isaac was born about 1855 in Capel to farm labourer Richard, born about 1812 in Newdigate and Charlotte, born about 1817 in Warnham, Sussex. Isaac snr was baptised on the 7th October 1855 in Capel. His mother Sarah Weller was born on 7th October 1857 to labourer James, born about 1820 and Sarah, born about 1824, all born in Capel. Sarah was baptised on 1st November 1857 at St Peter’s church, Newdigate. At the time of the baptism the family lived in Capel and Isaac snr was working as a labourer. Isaac and Sarah married in the 3rd quarter of 1889 in Dorking. Isaac jnr had one sister: Charlotte, born about 1890 in Capel.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Kittles, Beare Green. Isaac snr was working as an agricultural labourer and Sarah was at home. The household further comprised of their son Isaac and a servant.
On 5th May 1896 Isaac was admitted into the South Holmwood Church of England School. At the time of his admission, the family lived at Mill Bottom. Isaac left the school on 10th November 1908. He left to start work.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Mill Bottom, Holmwood. Isaac snr was working as a carter on a farm and Sarah was at home. The household further comprised of their children Isaac and Charlotte, and Isaac snr’s brother in law Jeremiah Kempshall and his family.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family were still at Mill Bottom. Isaac snr was working as a farm labourer and Sarah was at home. The household further comprised of their son, gardener, Isaac. Sarah stated that she had given birth to three children of whom two were still alive. The accommodation had four rooms.
Isaac Kempshall enlisted in Guildford, Surrey into the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number 37585.
At the time of his death he was part of the “A” Company, the 16th Battalion, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. His new regimental number was 55738.
Isaac Kempshall was killed in an action on 15th March 1918 in Belgium. His body was never found. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium on Panel 5.
He received the British War and Victory medals.
Isaac’s mother Sarah received £9, 18s and 1d on 16th July 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
| Born | Capel, Surrey |
| Lived | Holmwood, Surrey |
| Son of | Isaac and Sarah (nee Weller) Kempshall of Mill Bottom, Holmwood |
| Enlisted | Guilford |
| Regiment | “A” Company, 16th Battalion, The Royal Welsh Fusiliers |
| Number | 55738 |
| Former Regiment | Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment |
| Number | 37585 |
| Date of Death | 15th March 1918 |
| Place of Death | Belgium |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action |
| Age | 29 |
| Memorial | Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium |
