Our History
Herbert Kemp 1870-1962
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H Kemp and Son Limited Funeral Directors was founded in 1893 by Herbert Kemp, a joiner by trade who relocated from Lincolnshire to his first business premises in Waterloo Street, Hull.
Herbert originally offered joinery services and later expanded to provide a comprehensive and professional funeral service as well.
In 1926, Herbert relocated his business to a residential property in Hallgate, Cottingham, a short distance from the premises it occupies today. This property was originally occupied by Herbert and then by Herbert’s son, Eardley, and his family, who had joined his father in the family business. By 1932 the property had been extended to include a workshop and Chapel of Rest. |
The business continued to thrive and developed an excellent reputation within the local community and as a result relocated to larger premises in 1964, where it resides today.
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Eardley was joined in the business by his son Geoffrey providing a comprehensive and professional funeral service for many years until Eardley’s death in 1986. Geoffrey, was joined by his eldest son, David, in 1992, who manages the business to this day.
H Kemp and Son Limited is a well known local family business with four generations giving over 125 years service to Cottingham and surrounding areas. |
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Eardley Kemp
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Eardley Kemp - 1908-1986
Eardley Kemp born in 1908, was the second son of Herbert and Hannah Kemp. He was married to Ella (nee Rhodes) in 1932 and they had three children, Keith, Geoffrey and Jennifer. He worked for many years alongside his father and was key in the redevelopment and expansion of the business premises during the 1950s and 60s into what we see today on the Hallgate site. |
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Geoffrey Kemp - 1939-2015
Geoffrey Kemp was born at 245 Hallgate, Cottingham on 30th April 1939 and was the middle child of Eardley and Ella Kemp. He Married Eileen Foster in 1963 and had two sons, David and Philip. Geoff attended Hallgate School until he left to take up an apprenticeship in Joinery at Papes in Beverley. Following the completion of his National Service he returned to Cottingham to join his Father in the family business, where he worked until his death in April 2015. He was very well known in Cottingham and was involved in the Christmas lights since its inception in 1981. |
Geoffrey Kemp
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David Kemp
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David Kemp - 1964
David Kemp was born in March 1964 and is the eldest child of Geoffrey and Eileen Kemp. He attended Hallgate Primary School and then Cottingham High School. He left school at 16 and completed an an apprenticeship as a joiner at Jacksons Services, Hull . He married Fiona (nee Holborn) in 1987 and they have two children, Stephanie and Christopher. David left Jackson’s Services in 1982 and he joined his father in the business shortly after. David continues to work in the family business today and is assisted by his mum, Eileen and his wife, Fiona. |