Robert Heempstead
Name: Robert Hempstead
Born: 1912
Joined 92:1st January 1942
Died: 19th October 1942
Robert Theodore Hempstead
I
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Pilot Officer
Royal Canadian Air Force
Service No:
J/15919
Robert was the eldest son of five children. His parents were Robert Weir Hempstead and Marie Louise Hempstead who’s family had immigrated to Guatemala in the 1860's from Germany via London, the USA, then Belize and were some of the pioneers in the developing coffee industry. Robert was born in Coban, Guatemala and after his father’s death in 1932 he managed the family coffee farms in the north of Guatemala, Central America. Robert (he was not married) and two other Anglo Guatemalans left Guatemala in Nov 1940 to join the RAF but were instructed to enlist in the RCAF to undertake their flight training. Robert enlisted in Ottowa, in December 1940. Upon completing his flight training in October 1941 he was transferred to the RAF and subsequently joined 92 Squadron in Jan 1942. He was killed in an air accident on Oct 19 1942 and is buried in El Alamein war cemetery Grave XXXIII. D. 17.
Information supplied by his nephew. William Hempstead.