Richard H. Kember

Richard Henry Kember was a Lance‑Sergeant in the 1st Canterbury Battalion during the First World War and was killed in action on 20 December 1916 at the Somme in France.He entered Lincoln College in 1913, having come from England for that purpose. When war was declared he immediately enlisted, and left New Zealand as a private in the Main Expeditionary Force. He went through the Gallipoli campaign without a scratch, but, gaining his commission, accompanied his Regiment to France, where his gallant deeds won him the Military Cross. Although he did not live to learn of the honour that had been conferred on him, this recognition of his bravery will be in some measure a consolation to those who are left to mourn his loss. Source: Canterbury Agricultural College Magazine, June 1917, pp408-411.

Certificate provided with kind permission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. http://www.cwgc.org

Military Medal. (MM) "For general good work and devotion to duty on the Peninsular especially on the attack on "Popes Hill" He was one of the party that landed at Ali Baba (Suvla Bay) on the morning of 2nd May 1915 and captured the Turkish Post there. He showed great ability as an N.C.O. in charge of Patrols on Cheshire Ridge and was one of the last party to leave Gallipoli. Since arriving in France he has done good work on Patrols."  M.M. Lance Sergeant, 1st Canterbury Battalion L.G. 11 October 1916, p9839, Rec. No 17.