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Richard Van Kempen

Richard's photo gallery Here.  Back to Profiles Page Here
Click images to enlarge

RICHARD ERNEST VAN KEMPEN Known in the RN as Dick                                                                                                                                      Richard  as  an apprentice in 1951
Married to Joan. One son, Christopher who is now 41                                                                    
Now living in Hillhead, Hants
At Condor from September 1950 to May 1953.

RN CAREER
HMS THESEUS 1953 - carrier training - HMS GANNET 11/53 to 1/54 - BLACKCAP 6/54 to 11/56 - FULMAR 11/56 to 12/58 - SEAHAWK (705 helicopter Sqdn) 1/59 to 10/60 - FULMAR and ARK ROYAL (800 Scimitar Sqdn) 10/60 to 6/61.

PROMOTED to Acting Sub Lieutenant A/E June 1962, attended the 'knife, fork & spoon' officer's training course at RNC Greenwich, then HMS THUNDERER (RN Engineering College, Manadon) for engineering training  to become a Sub Lieutenant A/E
RNAS CULDROSE as AEO Station Flight then AEO 705B Sqdn - work-up Flight for 845 Sqdn (Wessex 3s)
Borneo/Bulwark 2/64 to mid-65 (845 Sqdn at Sibu, 2nd. Division Sarawak).

In Sarawak,  Richard was honoured with a MENTION IN DESPATCHES.                       
                                                                                                                                                                How it happened.

HMS BULWARK mid-65 to Australia & Aden then transit through the Suez Canal.
Disembarked by air to CULDROSE 8/65.
  
 Richard coming home in 1965.                                                                                                                                                                                    
RNAS CULDROSE 9/65 to 12/65 I/C disbanding of 845 Sqdn.  
RNAS ARBROATH 1/66 to 6/68, Lieutenant A/E, Divisional Officer to all apprentices at CONDOR.
RAF BALLYKELLY 7/68 to 12/69 AEO of 819 anti-sub Sqdn, embarked in various RFAs, mainly ENGADINE, OLNA & TIDESURGE. Also SAR for North West.
HMS DAEDALUS (RNAS LEE-ON-SOLENT) 1/70 to mid-72 at NATEC (Future Aircraft Projects Officer).
HMS DAEDALUS mid-72 to 9/75 Air Engineering School Course Officer for NAMs & POAFs (Open University Courses).

Richard took early retirement in 1975 as a Lieutenant A/E.

POST- RN CAREER
From October '75 to June '78 took 3-year B.Ed Course at King Alfred's College at Winchester and completed OU BA Course. (Son Christopher also started his Medical Degree at Southampton University).
From September '78 to August '92 teaching at Wallisdean Junior School, taking early retirement in'92.

HOBBIES
Richard enjoys sailing (Westerly Centaur - DEWNESSA); bowls; caravanning; DIY; woodwork & calligraphy.

                                                                                                                          The Van Kempen family in June 2000.

NB                                                                                                                          
Fred Gooch & Paddy Barrett's brother both served with Richard in Borneo,  with 845 Sqdn.