We Remember

William Kerr

William Kerr
Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
11379
Unit at enlistment: 
4th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Wounded: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Commemorated at: 
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Brant
Birth city: 
Brantford, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
50 Eagle Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
50 Eagle Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Machinist
Employer: 
Massey-Harris Co.
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
19
Image gallery: 

Letters and documents

BX May 10, 1915
 
Word Received From Boys Who Were Wounded – Local Relatives Received Reassuring Letters by This Morning’s Mail – Cpl. Orr, Pte. Kerr and Pte. Houlding Will Soon Rejoin Their Regiments – Little News About the Fight 

Wound Not Serious

High County Constable Kerr this morning received a letter from his son, William, whose name also appeared in a casualty list last week. The letter was brief, giving no details of the fierce fighting at Langemarck, but bringing the good news that Pte. Kerr’s wound was not at all serious, and that he expected to rejoin his regiment in a few days.

Sergeant W. Dawson, who is also in the hospital, having been a victim of a snipers bullet, also wrote Constable Kerr telling him that his son had been wounded in the mouth, but not seriously. Sgt. Dawson said they both expected to rejoin their regiments.

BX May 6, 1915

Another Brantford name that was added to the casualty list yesterday afternoon was that of Private William Kerr, son of High County Constable Fred Kerr, 50 Eagle Avenue, official notice having been received from the adjutant-general that he had been wounded. Fighting blood courses through Private Kerr’s veins, his father having been a member of the British Life Guards and having seen active service with the famous regiment in the Egyptian campaign of 1882 and the Sudan campaign of 1884-85, for both of which engagements he holds stars and clasps. The father is still connected with the military, being regimental sergeant major of the Second Dragoons and the senior cavalry warrant officer in Canada.

Private Kerr is 19 years of age having been born in Brantford. From boyhood he has been an enthusiastic soldier, having for five years been a member of the Second Dragoons latterly as sergeant. At the outbreak of the war before volunteers were called for he wrote to Ottawa offering his services and received word back to hold himself in readiness. The first call being for infantry, he was so anxious to go to the defense of the Empire that he secured his transfer from the cavalry to the infantry and enlisted with the Duffs’ first contingent. Military life appealed to him and in his last letter home he intimated that at the end of the war he intended to join his father’s old regiment. He is a well built young fellow standing five feet 11 inches and weighing 185 pounds. As a boy he was employed by the Hurley Printing Co., but later served his time as a machinist with the Verity Plow Company. In Eagle Place where he had resided all his life, he was particularly well known and well liked and his many friends will eagerly await further particulars of his injury and hope for his speedy recovery.

BX October 9, 1918

For the third time, Private William Kerr has received his knock-out at the hands of the Huns. His father, High Constable Kerr, received a message yesterday that he had been wounded in the shoulder just two weeks ago. Pte. Kerr was one of the first to leave Brantford, going over with the 4th Battalion, and has seen a very great deal of this terrible struggle. He is now in the hospital at Wimereux, and his speedy recovery is hoped for.

BX November 14, 1930

Police Constable William Kerr Passes – Was One of the Most Popular Officers on Police Force Here

Police Constable William Kerr, an officer of ten years’ service on the Brantford Police Department and one of the most popular members of the local force, passed away last night in Guelph, after a brief illness.

A veteran of the Great War with a proud record of service in the 4th Battalion, William Kerr was extremely popular with all who knew him, and his passing came as a severe blow to the members of the police department in particular.

“I can’t pay too high a tribute to Bill Kerr,” Chief of Police Harry Stanley said this morning, “he was one of my best and keenest officers”

Magistrate Jones also paid tribute to the late P.C. Kerr at the opening of police court this morning, and a moment of silence was observed in respect for the deceased.

William Kerr came of a police family. His father, the late Fred Kerr was for a number of year’s high county constable here, his uncle, David Kerr, is chief of police in the town of Oakville, and his brother George, is a motorcycle officer on the local department.

He leaves to mourn his loss his widow, one son, Jack, his mother, one brother, George and one sister, Mrs. Thomas Cooper of this city.

The funeral will be held on Monday afternoon from the home 4 McMurray Street, with interment in Mount Hope Cemetery. The police department will be well represented at the funeral, when his fellow-officers will pay a last mark of respect to their popular colleague.

BX November 18, 1930

Impressive Funeral of Local Policeman – Large Attendance at Last Rites for P.C. William Kerr

A very impressive funeral largely attended was that of the late Police Constable William Kerr.  The cortege was a large proportions, many wishing to pay their last respects to the officer whose life was another addition to the list of those who had paid the price of liberty in the Great War.

The services were conducted at the home, 4 McMurray Street and at the graveside by Rev. C.H.P. Owen, rector of Trinity Church, assisted by Rev. C.M. Hallowell, rector of St. James.  The speakers referred feelingly to the great sacrifice made by the officer for his country.

The floral tributes were many, again testifying to the esteem in which the deceased was held.  The cortege had a military touch, trumpeters sounding the Last Post at the graveside while the presence of many officials in uniform from various police forces was also impressive.  Magistrate Jones was present representing the Brantford Police Commission.

The pall-bearers were his old comrades of the local police force: P.C.’s Rutherford, Dowling, Wilshaw, Kellas, Rowcliffe, Roshier.

Leaving the home, the cortege proceeded to Mount Hope Cemetery.  The C.N.R. police department was represented by Officers Canning and Smith.  Officers Milligan and Campbell represented the provincial police.  The detachment of the R.C.M.P.at Ohsweken was represented by two officers in the scarlet uniform. Inspector Pollard headed street railway men in uniform and Chief Lewis and the fire department were also represented.

The Last Post was sounded by Buglers F. Joice and Les Armstrong.  Many relatives and friends were present from outside points among whom were:

Mr. and Mrs. D. Kerr and Fred, Oakville; Mr. and Mrs. James Poole and Gertie, Buffalo; Mr. and Mrs. W. Treat and Pearl, Buffalo; Mrs. L. Shorne and son, Syracuse; Mrs. G. Jewel and daughter, Syracuse; Mr. and Mrs. W. Winegarden, London; Mr. and Mrs. H. partridge, Woodstock; Mr. and Mrs. L. Grinter, St. Catharines; Mrs. H. Hawkings and Mrs. W. Elton, Hamilton.

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