David Kempton
At school David joined the Army Cadet Force. He was called up for National Service in 1956 and was sent to Malaya to serve with the Royal Artillery. This led to a life-long interest in all things military.
After that he studied at the London College of Furniture and started his career at Maples in Tottenham Court Road.
In 1967 he joined the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works, moving to the Crown Suppliers where he furnished British embassies in the Middle East.
He then moved to the Furnishing Branch of the Parliamentary Works Services Directorate and was involved in numerous ceremonial events in the Houses of Parliament, working there for 23 years until his retirement in 2003.
In recognition of his service he was given the responsibility to lead the Ceremonial Search prior to the State Opening of Parliament on 13 November 2002.
David was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2018. He was cared for by his family and died peacefully at home on 4th March 2024.
He leaves his wife Helma (whom he met on holiday in Spain in 1964), son Peter and daughter Anneke.