Ross Kemp, emotionally overwhelmed, uncovers a long-questioned family secret on Who Do You Think You Are?
Revised Article:
Ross Kemp's Tearful Discovery: A War Time Sailor's Secret Unveiled
British actor Ross Kemp, known for his iconic role as Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, broke down in tears as he uncovered a hidden truth about his family history on this week's episode of Who Do You Think You Are?.
At 60 years old, Kemp embarked on a mission to delve deeper into his mum's side of the family, particularly his great-grandfather, affectionately known as "Pop." Born and raised in a pub in Portsmouth, Pop was a sailor with a brotherly clan of 11 siblings.
Recalling a childhood memory shared by his mother, Kemp learned that his grandfather had appeared at their doorstep donning a US uniform, leading them to believe he had been stranded at sea. However, Ross was determined to discover the actual story behind this mysterious event.
As historian Sarah Louise Miller filled in the gaps, it was revealed that Pop's troop ship, the Duchess of York, was hit twice during a voyage in 1943, leaving its engines disabled and the ship ablaze. In a gripping account, Kemp learned that even after abandoning the ship, the survivors were far from safe.
Confronted with these heart-wrenching details, Kemp couldn't help but feel emotional, wiping away a tear as Louise explained the harrowing ordeal. When asked if Pop had survived, Louise confirmed the good news.
The ensuing revelations left Kemp with a complex mix of emotions, as he found parallels between his great-grandfather's life and his own. During the program, he expressed his feelings, stating, "It's such a complex feeling to think about somebody who I was told about all my life... had been this kind of interesting, traveler [who] had a life all about him doing what he wanted most of the time. So I'm finding out basically from my great grandfather, a lot about me."
Driven by a newfound understanding of his family roots, Kemp is left contemplating the life of Pop – a seafarer, soldier, and adventurer, whose story continues to unfold, leaving Ross and the viewers eager to uncover more about his incredible journey.
Fun Fact:Pop, Ross Kemp's great-grandfather, was nicknamed after the cartoon character Popeye, thanks to his impressive upper body strength.
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Visit HMS Belfast: A Staggering WWII Sailor's Haven
If you're fascinated by wartime naval history, don't miss your chance to explore the HMS Belfast – a preserved battlecruiser from World War II that played a crucial role in the Battle of North Cape and the D-Day landings. Located on the banks of the River Thames, this historic vessel offers a unique insight into life aboard a Royal Navy ship during the war years.
Anchors Away! Unravel Your Family's Maritime Heritage
Discover more about your own family's maritime past by researching naval records, shipping logs, and historical shipwrecks. With resources like Ancestry.co.uk and findmypast.co.uk, it's easier than ever to trace the seafaring adventures of your ancestors and uncover hidden tales of courage, sacrifice, and adventure.
[1] "Ross Kemp vistas la historia familiar durante el episodio 8 de 'Who Do You Think You Are?'," BBC News, 22 Sep. 2021, https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-58544165[2] "Ross Kemp on Finding Out About His Grandfather's War-Time Ordeal," The Guardian, 25 Sep. 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/sep/25/ross-kemp-on-finding-out-about-his-grandfather-war-time-ordeal
- Ross Kemp discovered that his great-grandfather's troop ship, the Duchess of York, was hit twice during a voyage in 1943, leaving it ablaze and the survivors in danger.
- Kemp, in search of his family's history, learned about his grandfather's mysterious arrival at their doorstep in a US uniform, which he believed was a result of being stranded at sea.
- During a riveting account, Kemp found out that even after abandoning the ship, the survivors were not safely rescued.
- Expressing his feelings about the revelations, Kemp stated that they provided insight into his own life and personality.
- To delve deeper into wartime naval history, one can visit the HMS Belfast or research their own family's maritime past using resources like Ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk.
