Walter Kempster

Walter Francis Herbert Kempster (18 May 1909 – 26 June 1952) was an English first-class cricketer and an officer in the British Army.

Life and military career Kempster was born in China at Chinwangtao in May 1909. He was educated in England at Cheltenham College, where he played for and captained the college cricket team. From there, he progressed to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, Shortly after gaining his commission, Kempster served in the North-West Frontier Province of British India, where the Afridi Redshirt Rebellion was taking place. For his service there, he gained a medal and clasp. Batting twice in the match, he was dismissed without scoring by Mohammad Nissar, while in their second innings he was dismissed for 10 runs by Jahangir Khan. Kempster was also well known in army cricket, having represented the British Army cricket team several times. Wisden described him as a "sound and attractive batsman". Kempster was seconded to the Sierra Leone Battalion in April 1937, an appointment which last until 1938. By December 1938, he had returned to the KSLI and was made an adjutant in December 1938. Kempster served in the Second World War with distinction. He was mentioned in dispatches in March 1945 for gallant and distinguished service in the North-West Europe campaign, at which point he held the temporary rank of brigadier; he was further recognised for his service during the campaign by being made an OBE in the same month and a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order in August 1945.

Following the end of the war, Kempster was promoted to major in January 1946. He was later given the war substantive rank of lieutenant colonel, prior to his promotion to colonel in December 1950. He was specially employed in January 1951, and was given the temporary rank of major general. In December 1951, he was promoted to brigadier, prior to his death in June 1952 at All Stretton, Shropshire.