Jack Gempton
John (Jack) Gempton (1890 - 1975)
John (Jack) Gempton (b.1890) was the oldest of 3 sons - James (Jim) Henry Gempton (b.1892) - William (Will) Joseph Gempton (b.1895) who were born, in Brixham, to John Gempton (b.1856) and Mary Sarah Stibbs Haliday (b.1856). All three boys were to learn their trade in the family's fishing business, leaving school at the age of 12 years to become apprentice fishermen.
During the 1930's, Jack Gempton was employed as a crew member of various "J" Class yachts - Shamrock V, Astra & Endeavour 1, owned by millionaires of the likes of Sir Thomas Lipton and Tommy Sopwith. The "J" Class yachts raced, during the season, in many regatta events around the shores of Britain and rose to the challenge of wealthy American yacht owners competing in the America's Cup Series.
Crew of Shamrock V - America's Cup Challengers 1930
Crew of Endeavour 1, used as trial horse for Endeavour
America's Cup Challenge in 1937
Back Row: Charlie Dan, cook (Wivenhoe); Tom Cudmore, steward (Tollesbury); Sidney Stroud (Whitstable); Lemman Cranfield, first mate (Tollesbury); Captain TedHeard (Tollesbury); Bert French, second mate (West Mersea); Alfred Stroud (Whitstable); Cyril Heard (Tollesbury); Chris Hilliard, cook (Wivanhoe) Centre: Jack Sargent (Looe); Jack Uglow (Looe); Bill Bradock (Brixham); Jack Gempton(Brixham); Billy Wilkinson (Tollesbury); Harry Harman (Whitstable)
Front Row: Dick Howard (West Mersea); Ted Heard, son of Captain (Tollesbury); Alfred John Pengelly (Looe); Harry German (Brixham); Frank Paddy (Plymouth);
1. Jim Mussett, (West Mersea); 2. Neville Gurton, (Tollesbury); 3. Jack Gempton, First Mate (Brixham); 4. Bill Lewis, (Tollesbury); 5. Captain Ned Heard (Tollesbury); 6. Cyril Coates, First Cook (Tollesbury); 7. Horace "Shrimp" Chatterton (Tollesbury); 8. Ted Heard Jnr (Tollesbury); 9. Harry "Jumbo" Randall (Hythe); 10. Walter Pengelly (Looe); 11. Jack Sargent (Looe); 12. Leonard Pengelly (Looe); 13. Joe Uglow, Second Cook (Looe); OTHERS :- Lewis Wilkinson, Second Mate (Tollesbury); Duncan Currie, Mastheadsman (Tinabruagh); Bob Parker, Second Mastheadsman, (Southampton); Nevill Gurton (Tollesbury); Jim Stubbins (Tollesbury); Dan Mutton (Port Isaac); Harry German, Stemheadsman (Brixham);
Some of the crew of Shamrock V relax on deck (listening to a gramophone) at anchor before her passage to America to race in 1930.
The "J" Class cutter Endeavour 1
Astra, in foreground, is led by the Valsheda and has Endeavour to windward at Harwich regatta in 1934. The 115 foot Astra was the shortest of the big class racers, but was one of the most elegant.
178 foot motor yacht - Viva 11 used to tow the "J" Class racer Endeavour 1 across the Atlantic Ocean to America in 1937.
The yacht Astra rounding the Cliff End buoy at the Harwich Regatta 1934 with Ned Heard at the wheel. Her crew prepare to set the spinnaker.
Many newspapers reported that the Endeavour was "missing - presumed lost."
Captain Ned Heard (centre) leans against the guard rails to welcome the "Daily Mail" tender Alert 10 miles south of the Lizard after the Endeavour's historic voyage. Jack Gempton, First Mate, is seen holding the rail on the left.
The "J" Class yacht Endeavour 11 raced in the America's Cup Series in 1937, in America
The following excerpts were taken from the book - The Salty Shore by John Leather - highlighting the exploits of Jack Gempton during the 1930's as he sailed on the "J" Class yachts, Shamrock V, Astra and Endeavour I.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz--Yx_2PNEMRlBJSzRtTHo1cWM/view?usp=sharing
The history of J Class Yachts
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz--Yx_2PNEMYlNZSUNRMUtNTUU/view?usp=sharing
The Torbay Lifeboat.
In 1928, Jack Gempton (pictured below)was a crew member of the Torbay Lifeboat - Alfred & Clara Heath - see separate section on "The Torbay Lifeboat".
