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THE SALAMANDER | JULY 2017
John Kempton joined Surrey Fire Brigade (later
to be known as Surrey Fire & Rescue Service)
as a retained (part-time) firefighter in 1981 and
retired as a crew commander after serving for
more than 20 years at Oxted Fire Station. John
was quoted as saying that he feels “privileged
and proud” after being appointed an MBE in the
Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the
community.
John Kempton, who has lived in Oxted for 37
years, was recognised for his contribution as
firefighter, school governor and first aider. He
became a community first responder in 2005.
John helped to form, and now manages, the
team known as Oxted District Community
Responders who provide an emergency
response to all 999 medical emergency calls in
the Oxted and surrounding areas.
John also served for 27 years (retiring in 2015)
as a foundation governor for St Mary’s C of E
Junior School, in Oxted, mainly responsible
for the care and improvement of the School
buildings.
Well done John
The Master is taking part in the annual British
Red Cross annual Jailed & Bailed event to be
hosted by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor
and Lady Mayoress. He will be arrested at
Mansion House, on charges yet to be confirmed,
and then be transported by the City of London
Police to the Tower of London where he will be
incarcerated pending bail. On the condition
that he raises £1,000 in bail in support of the
British Red Cross he will be a free man again…
but if not, he will be left to sample Her Majesty’s
hospitality indefinitely!
This year is the fourteenth “Jailed & Bailed”
event which to date has seen 203 normally
upstanding members of the City Of London
arrested for heinous crimes. These have
included falsely impersonating Robin Hood,
concealing 3ft pokers and even one of our being
denounced as impersonating a Fireman!
This year is no exception to this event and
our Master will be partaking to line up and be
counted with the other 29 felons. It is a fun day
throughout and in aid of the British Red Cross.
While he has been assured that he will be made
‘as comfortable as possible’ at the Tower if all
John Kempton
Has been appointed the honour for his
services to the community
Jailed and Bailed
In aid of the British Red Cross
Liveryman John Kempton receives his MBE A full escort for all the jailed Masters