Robert Gemmell learned the fundamentals of self defence in the back streets of Glasgow as a young boy. Influenced by his father, an ex British Army Officer and Glasgow policeman, self defence was a necessary survival tool for any young lad at that time. In those early days the search for knowledge was endless. Available was the occasional book on Jiu Jitsu or Judo amid the bare boards boxing gyms and that was about it.

Training at a young age after being accepted as a student of the late Michael McCashin, Robert began his long Kempo path, which led to him being declared the most advanced student by Mr McCashin. A greater responsibility was placed on his young shoulders when his teacher had to retire due to ill health. This threw the club into turmoil as the dedicated few remaining students grappled with the choice of a new direction. Options were few and far between, and most went on to a local Karate School. Robert continued to meet with Mike McCashin and learn more about Kempo on a one on one basis, attaining his Black Belt in 1968. The responsibility to lead the Kempo School came when Mr McCashin bestowed full authority for Robert to succeed him, prior to his death soon after. A credit to the McCashin era was the "Grand Championship win" at the undisputed first ever multi style tournament held in New Zealand at the Wellington Town Hall in 1967 by Francis Taylor, a Brown Belt training under Mike McCashin.

Trying a short stint of Karate, Robert Gemmell found that this Art lacked the flow and circular technique he had been used to. He then dedicated his future to the study and teaching of Kempo. Opening his own School in Porirua he appointed his younger brother, the late Ken Gemmell, who later moved to Christchurch and opened a Branch of the School there, as his Assistant Instructor.

The struggle to have Kempo recognised as the Martial Art that it was, proved a long hard battle. Karate was on the move world wide, and one or two new comers on the New Zealand Karate scene conducted negative campaigns against any Martial Arts not considered Japanese in origin. This created major disharmony within those Clubs not aligned with Japan. Despite this Robert took a leading role in the Martial Arts scene. Being appointed to assist Government in an attenpt to organise the Martial Art under one banner, he wrote the "Instructors Ratification of Grades and Minimum Standards" document which was unanimously accepted by all styles represented at the time. He also hosted the first ever "UNZKO" (Union of New Zealand Karate Organisations) Tournament held at Porirua in the early seventies. The local Kempo School dominated the contest despite the large number of Karate Black Belts entered. The power of his students was well known by anyone who has fought against them in competition. Robert is a Co Founder of UNZKO along with his close friend, the late Rod Devlin, and Jack Sims. Earlier he had been Foundation member of the then Chinese Martial Arts Association headed up by the late Bill Young and Stan Chung.

There have been four Martial Arts magazines in New Zealand’s short Martial Arts history, two of these were published by Robert Gemmell. They were "New Zealand Karate and Martial Arts" and "Insights into Martial Arts." The latter was supported and recognised internationally. Building his School and spreading many Branches throughout New Zealand and Australia his organisation, now the "Shaolin Chuan Fa Association," grew to be one of the largest in the South Pacific region. Undefeated in open competition over four decades many attributed the School’s success to himself, however Robert knew it was the style of Kempo that he taught and an adherence to the "true" principles of the "Bushido Code," (the underlying "Way" of the Martial Arts) that took the credit.

Knowing this he decided to travel to the Orient and his constant search for knowledge has taken him to Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan China and the USA. Training with the famous Grand Master Ed Parker (a student of Professor William Chow), the two shared the path of re establishing Kempo as an independent and leading Art form.. His (Robert’s) Grand Master and Professor status in the Art reflects the fifty years plus that he has put into the Martial Arts.

In a search for the roots of Shaolin Kempo, a spiritual journey was undertaken which led to the birth place of Martial Arts, the Shaolin Temple in the Henan Province of China, and from there a widening search of the Internal Arts, becoming the first person to introduce Chen family Tai Chi, Chi Gung, H’Singi, (Heart Will Boxing) Bagua, (8 Trigram Boxing) and Mulan (Fan) Boxing into New Zealand. Robert’s most recent journey to China was in October/November 2009 where he continued to study the internal aspects of Chuan Fa.

Recognised world wide, Robert has been inducted into the "World Karate," 2nd "Australasian," 1st "New Zealand" Halls of Fame and 1st New Zealand Kempo Martial Arts Hall of Fame. As a permanent member of the Board of Directors on several international organisations Robert also holds the title "Soke" (Governor of Martial Arts), Founder of the New Zealand Sokeship Council. He is the only New Zealander personally authorised to teach and grade Kempo by the late Grand Master Ed Parker.

Robert established the first full time Live In Training Centre Porirua, a purpose built lodge, dedicated to the study of Martial Arts. Thousands of Courses and Workshops have been held at the Centre. He is a forner Instructor to the NZ Police Dept., with officers attending Courses at his Centre. Robert has also developed a Supplies and Equipment factory which provides a full range of uniforms and training equipment for his many students and Branches.

Teaching the Arts in their purest form. Robert’s training methods and systems taught are now highly recognised as "Robert Gemmell Martial Arts." although he personally prefers the title "Founder" the style could well bear his name.

Robert Gemmell has trained his students in traditional Kempo/Kenpo systems and promotes the idea that the real goal of Kempo is for health, discipline, self improvement and last of all, a fighting art. He teaches the principle that "we learn to fight so that we do not have to fight."

"The thorn protects the rose from those who would steal the flower."

Ed Parker (left) bestows high rank on Robert Gemmell and authorises him as sole representative to grade and teach Kempo in New Zealand.

R. Gemmell (right) & Ed Parker (left) form Kempo Cat Stance.