Ross Kemp’s Family Secrets Unveiled: Emotional Journey Revealed

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For the latest season of “Who Do You Think You Are?”, Ross Kemp found himself unexpectedly moved when he uncovered that his ancestors, like himself, were known for their travel-loving nature.

Growing up, Ross Kemp – an actor on EastEnders and a celebrated documentary maker – found tales of war, bravery, and maritime disasters within his family captivating. When the 60-year-old decided to explore his ancestry for the genealogy program Who Do You Think You Are?, he anticipated discovering an intriguing past.

As with any family, tales can evolve with each retelling over generations, much like a game of telephone,” he notes. “Discovering the reality behind them was deeply touching.

Kemp journeyed to Morocco to gather more information on his maternal great-grandfather Arthur Chalmers, who went by “Pop” due to his seafaring occupation and robust arm muscles reminiscent of the cartoon figure Popeye.

It’s also revealed to Kemp that he has an unbeknownst ancestor: his great-great-great-great grandfather on his paternal line, Jeremiah Whall, who joined the Royal Marines as a drummer at only 13 years old in 1803. He played crucial semaphore signals to other Allied forces during the Napoleonic Wars, safeguarding colonial trade interests at their peak. In 1809, he participated in intense battles, contributing significantly to the capture of Martinique from the French.

Speaking from his home in Berkshire, where he’s getting ready to take his kids to Disneyland, Kemp notes that since Pop and Jeremiah were always restless and preferred not to stay put for long periods, he might have inherited a bit of their active nature.

Growing up in Essex alongside his younger sibling Darren, Kemp frequently heard tales about their grandfather, affectionately known as Pop. This charismatic character had a penchant for enjoying drinks and games of chance, and was reputed to have encountered at least two shipwrecks in his life.

According to Kemp’s account, he moved like he was still on a ship – taking one step forward and two steps sideways. A day prior to his passing, it is said that he attempted to sell his watch to the milkman in an effort to place a bet on a horse.

As Kemp investigates if the stories about being shipwrecked are real, he learns that Pop’s army transport vehicle, Duchess of York, was bombed in July 1943, approximately 300 miles off the Portuguese coast while heading to Algeria. Tragically, many lives were lost and the vessel sank, but remarkably, Pop was saved and transported about 700 miles to Casablanca, the largest Allied-controlled port.

After becoming a certified commercial diver, Kemp has delved into underwater expeditions like the sunken Mary Rose. Hearing about Pop’s ordeal left him emotional and helped him appreciate his own sea adventures more deeply: “I’ve been alone in the water for an extended stretch, and it can be terrifying – you even start to see things that aren’t there. I’ve found myself lost at sea on two occasions while diving and got separated from the boat. The second time, I survived nine hours in the water, feeling sun-scorched.

Absolutely, it’s not even close to the ordeal our father might have faced, with the terrifying sight of oil-tainted waters, fires, and lifeless bodies all around him.

Kemp, who’s accustomed to extended stays in challenging settings like filming series such as Ross Kemp on Gangs and Ross Kemp in Afghanistan, found a common ground with Pop, given that he too spent a significant part of his life at sea, initially serving in the Navy and later working on ocean liners, often being away from home.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of melancholy when I reflect on my father’s absence during the crucial years of my mother and sister’s life. He departed at the onset of World War II in 1939, only to return in 1946. His role post-conflict was instrumental – loading tanks onto ships for their journey back to the UK. This separation left an indelible mark on our family story.

Being away from myself for too long has started to feel somewhat self-indulgent, despite the fact that I am working, similar to how Pop felt.

Reflecting on his ancestry sparked curiosity within the actor, writer, and broadcaster regarding the origin of his affection for water and exploration.

Jeremiah traveled to more nations than I ever have, a fact made all the more impressive since that was over 300 years ago, well before airplanes were even invented. It’s no surprise then, that I’m passionate about traveling.

Besides, there’s something about the ocean that has always captivated me. As a child, I found bath time delightful, and my mom would threaten to say, “You’ll go down the drain and end up in Australia!” The idea didn’t frighten me; instead, it intrigued me.

In a less optimistic turn of events, Kemp learns that Pop’s elder sibling, Albert, served in the Navy as well. However, following his discharge, Albert found himself frequently arrested for disorderly conduct under the influence, and even went so far as to threaten to behead his own mother with a kitchen knife. As a result of these actions, Albert was added to the prohibited list under the 1902 Licensing Act, which barred him from all establishments licensed to serve alcohol.

Since the Chalmers resided above their pub during that period, it’s challenging not to think about similarities between the Chalmers family and Kemp’s EastEnders character Grant Mitchell, particularly his mother Peggy, portrayed by the late Barbara Windsor. A phrase often associated with her was, “Vacate my establishment!” or more casually, “Clear out of my pub!”.

Often, people point out comparisons to me that I hadn’t considered before, as they seemed too tragic in light of the original story. However, I couldn’t help but see similarities between Albert and a rogue, an addict. There must have been some catalyst that led him down this path.

Some military personnel I’ve encountered have resorted to self-medicating, including myself upon returning from Afghanistan. Frequently, my first destination after coming home was usually a bar.

After going through a challenging, three-month period filled with numerous hardships, you’re eager to unburden yourself. Returning home requires some readjustment.

Despite traveling less now, Kemp remains busier than before as he recently made a brief comeback to EastEnders for their 40th anniversary in February, following a nine-year hiatus from the soap.

I’m thrilled to share that the intriguing game show “Bridge of Lies,” where participants strive to dodge deception in order to claim a monetary reward, will be back on air later this month for another exciting season! Plus, there are ten special episodes featuring renowned celebrities, starting from May 3rd (Saturday).

Regarding EastEnders, it’s an amazing show, but after watching it, you feel a bit overwhelmed. Grant reappears and within seconds, he’s involved in a fight, crying, making love, then crying about it again, only to get into another fight. He’s never seen just sitting at the launderette peacefully.

In contrast to a typical day at the café ordering a bacon roll, the initial event during our anniversary celebration involved me forcefully entering The Arches, overpowering my brother for his Beretta 9mm, an action far from ordinary. It seems that aspects of myself are mirrored in my brother, and vice versa. Wearing the leather jacket once more brought joy, while also providing comfort knowing I could still fit into it.

Kemp observes that he has another thing in common with his ancestors: an inability to take it easy.

He remarks, “I didn’t anticipate being where I am right now, but I had not foreseen that each day would still hold excitement for me.

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2025-04-15 03:34