BX June 30, 1915
 
Frederick William Kerr For Active Service
 
Fred W. Kerr, the efficient and popular high county constable, may leave shortly to go on active service in the capacity of warrant officer of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. This morning Mr. Kerr received a communication from Victor McLaren, captain of the R.C.D.’s, commanding the depot squadron at Toronto, in which it was stated that the Toronto officer had been informed concerning the local county constable and had been asked to communicate with him in view to his going on active service. Mr. Kerr told The Expositor this morning that he hoped to be able to hold his rank of warrant officer, which he now holds with the 25th Brant Dragoons, and pending official notification to this effect, he was unable to state positively what his future course would be.

High County Constable Fred Kerr has every qualification for the post of warrant officer of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He has had 12 years’ experience with the Life Guards in the old country, and for six of those years he acted as instructor. He is a qualified rough riders’ instructor, and should the present plans materialize he should be a decided asset to the well-known Dragoons regiment.

Mr. Kerr will go to Toronto tomorrow with a view to closing up matters with the military authorities.

BX July 26, 1915

Warrant Rank for Frederick William Kerr – High County Constable, Veteran Will go With the Mississauga’s

High County Constable Fred W. Kerr has received a communication from the militia department at Ottawa granting him the rank of warrant officer in the Mississauga Horse and he will leave with that regiment in the next overseas squad for the front.  Constable Kerr is a veteran of the Egyptian campaign, having fought at Tel-el-Kebir, and in the Sudan under Kitchener, serving in the famous Life Guards Blue.  He has been actively connected with the 25th Brant Dragoons and has been county constable for Brant County for a number of years, serving the county in a most efficient manner in that office.

BX July 18, 1917

Frederick William Kerr is Visiting Here – Former High County Constable Now With The Flying Corp.

Sergeant (ex-high county constable) Fred Kerr, a veteran of the Egyptian war, as well as the present European struggle and now of the disciplinary squad of the Royal Flying corps at Camp Borden, was a visitor in the city today. Amongst other places he called was at the police station and everywhere he was warmly greeted by his old friends. While at the front with Col. Beckett’s Toronto battalion his helmet was struck by a bullet and he was slightly wounded in the shoulder. He pays a high tribute to the gallantry of William Slattery, who recently won the Military Medal. According to Kerr, Slattery should have had a bushel of Victoria Crosses for his bravery. After 16 stretcher bearers had become casualties Slattery took up their work and despite barrage, rifle and machine gun fire he rescued scores of his comrades.

Kerr was one of the veterans of the Life Guards Blue at the battle of Tel-el.-Kebir.

BX May 3, 1924

Thirty-Nine years Ago Gordon Relief Expedition – Sergeant Major Frederick William Kerr, Now High Constable for County of Brant, One of the Number – False Guide Nearly Led the British Into an Ambush

Thirty-nine years ago Sergeant-Major Fred W. Kerr left London, Eng., with the Camel Corps of the Guards, as part of the expedition to relieve General Gordon in the Soudan. This corps was raised specially for this expedition and was composed of picked men from the various guard’s regiments and from the marines. The Light Camel Corps which also took part in this fighting was likewise composed of specially picked and trained men, all drawn from the cavalry regiments, 44 men being obtained from each such regiment in Great Britain.

The force landed at Alexandra and after going by train to Cairo marched over the desert to the pyramids. Here the men were mounted on camels and as it was the first time any of them had traveled in this fashion, they had a pretty rough passage for the gait of a camel is very, very different from that of a horse.

At Ambigo Wells this force joined the one under Gen. Kitchener who was dressed in the approved Arab sheik fashion. A number of other officers, who later were prominent leaders in the British army, took part in this expedition. General French, then Major French, who was in command of the British forces during the early part of the World War, was in charge of a troop of the 19th Hussars who were mounted on Egyptian stallion ponies and were used as scouts. Col. Burnaby of the Life Guards Blues was also with the expedition and met his death while engaged in forming a square to resist a dervish attack.

Many Hardships

According to Sgt. Major Kerr the hardships which this expedition had to overcome were enormous. Khartoum was the objective but it took over six months to get up the country and it was not until January 16, 1885, that the enemy was first engaged at Aboucler. In this engagement the commander, Gen. Herbert Stewart, was mortally wounded and Lord Charles Beresford, of the naval brigade, assumed command.

The Nile here runs in a wide curve and it was decided to cross the desert to reach a point on its banks further up. This journey occupied five days and 16 hours and was beset with hardships all the way. Every drop of water consumed on the trip had to be carried in goat skin bags and only sufficient was available to allow one pint for each man per day. The Nile was again reached on January 21 and General Gordon’s steamers discovered.

He was, however, at Khartoum, Gen. Stewart Wortley with a small detachment made up a reconnoitering party on one of the steamers, but were sighted by the enemy and compelled to return. Sir Charles Wilson also went up, but he stuck on the shoals and Lord Beresford had to take another boat to rescue him.

False Guide

“A rather interesting thing in connection with our march up country was the fact that our guide was playing us false and leading us into a trap for the enemy. We would never have found this out but for a robber chief, whom we captured in the desert and took with us. He told Gen. Stewart that the guide was leading us astray. The general promptly shot the traitor and henceforth, the robber, who was a sorry looking sight from knife wounds sustained at various times in his career, acted as guide. He was a faithful one, too.

The expedition fought its way to within sight of Khartoum, living at times on bully beef and biscuits and eating camel and donkey meat, when the other supply failed. Here word was received of the death of Gordon and after three months of vacillation and delay the government ordered the force to return. The result was that the whole thing had to be fought over again.”

Honorable Record

Sgt. Major Kerr has a long and honorable record of military service, having served in the forces of the Empire since he was 17 years old. He wears six medals including Egypt, 1882; Sudan, 1884-85; Long service; the Victory medal and General medal for the World War; and the Meritorious Service Medal. During the World War he was first Sergeant-Major of the 75th Battalion, C.E.F., and later a Sergeant-Major in the flying corps.

An interesting thing in connection with his service in the World War was the fact that while on leave in London, Eng., he met quite by accident the trumpeter who had accompanied his unit in the Sudan expedition. The recognition was mutual and an interesting time was spent in reviewing their experiences.

BX September 30, 1925

Sudden Demise of High Constable Kerr – Retired in the Best of Health – Had a Notable War Record

Death came early this morning, with unexpected suddenness, to High County Constable Fred W. Kerr, at his home, 50 Eagle Avenue.  He was in the best of health yesterday and at the police station, on some business until 10 p.m., later taking supper at a restaurant and returning home in the best of spirits.  At about 5.30 this morning Mrs. Kerr heard a noise in his room and going there found that he was in a serious condition.  A doctor was at once summoned, but he never rallied and the end came soon afterwards.

Mr. Kerr was born September 16, 1861 at Sligo, Ireland and joined the Royal Horse Guards at the age of 17.  He served with distinction in many parts of the world; in the Sudan in 1882, 1884 and 1885; in the famous engagement at Tel El Kebir; with Kitchener in the relief of Khartoum expedition; and went overseas with the 75th Battalion in the Great War having the rank of warrant officer.  He was invalided home but joined the Flying Corps, having the post of disciplinarian.  He was also later attached to the instruction class for American cadets, flying school, Texas.  He had many decorations with bars attached.  Deceased arrived in Brantford 32 years ago and was at one time employed in the Grand Trunk shops, and later with the Verity Plow Company.  He had been high constable for the County of Brant for many years and had proved himself a thoroughly efficient officer in every respect.  In addition to the bereaved widow he leaves to mourn his loss and one daughter, Mrs. Annie Cooper and two sons, William of the police force, George attending the Collegiate Institute, all of this city; four sisters, Mrs. W.B. Treat, Buffalo; Mrs. J. Poole, Buffalo; Mrs. A. McGinnis, Asheville, Manitoba; Mrs. John Kenney, Brantford, three brothers, Robert, Buffalo; David, chief constable, Oakville, Ontario; John, Verity Plow Company this city. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

BX October 5, 1925

Military Funeral is of Notable Nature – High Constable Kerr Laid to Rest in Greenwood Cemetery

In a manner befitting his splendid record in fighting for the Empire in various portions of the world, the late High Constable Fred W. Kerr, on Saturday afternoon, was accorded the largest military funeral ever witnessed in this city.  There was a big assemblage at the house, 50 Eagle Avenue, and afterwards the cortege proceeded to Trinity Anglican church, which was filled to overflowing, with many hundreds unable to gain admission.  Headed by Col. M.A. Colquhoun, brigade commander, the officers of the various local military units occupied main aisle pews.

The vested choir was in attendance, with Miss M. Owen presiding at the organ, and in addition to appropriate hymns and music a solo was beautifully rendered by Mrs. R.M.P. Bulteel, “Jesus Lover of My Soul.”  Reverend C.H.P. Owen, the rector, was the officiating minister, assisted by Rev. R.M.P. Bulteel, and Rev. S.E. McKegney, Ford City, who was a chaplain overseas, and who in addressing the congregation dwelt upon the splendid war services of the deceased; is loyal discharge of any duties entrusted to him, and his many excellent characteristics, including his fondness for little children.

Proceeded by the Dufferin Rifles band, under the conductorship of Bandmaster Frank C. Johnson the immense procession wended its way to Greenwood cemetery to the sound of appropriate music in which the “Dead March in Saul” predominated.

The coffin, draped in the Union Jack, was carried on a gun carriage, drawn by four horses and proceeded by Battery Sergt.-Major T. Hall, of the 54th Battery, who rode a black charger.  The drivers were Sergt. J. Gabriel and Sergt. S. Sherritt, with Sergt. L. Johnson and Sergt. H. Gabriel on the limber.

Immediately following the carriage was a led horse, with boots reversed in the stirrups, in charge of Sergt. A. Davis, of the artillery.  Twenty of the battery followed on foot, in charge of Quartermaster Sergeant W. Daniels.  Next in succession were members in uniform of the Dufferin Rifles, Dragoons and Machine Gunners.  Col. C.E. Morgan and two troopers represented the Mounted Police and H.D. Lawrence, Provincial Constable, Dunnville, and R.J. Eacrett, Brantford, the provincial Police.  Following the military came many autos containing the mayor and other civic officials, together with intimate friends of the deceased and many followed on foot. The streets were lined by thousands of spectators and through traffic was stopped on Market Street, as the procession wended its way to Greenwood.  Approaching the cemetery the troops lined up on either side of the main entrance, as the cortege passed through and several hundreds were present at the graveside.  The solemn service concluded, three volleys rang out from a firing squad, under charge of Sergt. H. Palmer and the “Last Post,” was most impressively sounded by Trumpeter Taylor, of the artillery.

The pallbearers were Regimental Sergeant-Major A.K. Roberts, 10th Brant Dragoons, Sergt.-Major S. Cara, M.M., B. Squadron, 10th Brant Dragoons; Company Sergeant-Major G. Crouch, D.C.M., Dufferin Rifles; Quarter Master Sergeant L. Roberts, Artillery; Sergt. R. McCartney, Dufferin Rifles; Sergt. J. Mounce, Dragoons.

The floral tributes were exceedingly numerous and beautiful, and filled three autos. They included wreaths from the city, military units and many other organizations.

Police Commissioners and Chief Donnelly and members of the police force were in attendance as representatives of the civic service branch to which deceased belongs.

The funeral was in charge of Col. W.C. Brooks, O.C., of the Second Dragoons.