| Rank | Private |
| Service # | A9374 |
| Unit # | R.C.A.S.C. Second World War, Infantry Unit First World War |
| Resident | Dresden |
Born 16/04/1899, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Kerr of Dresden, ON., he had been a long time resident in London, ON. when the war broke out (Served in WWI). He enlisted December 1939. Fred’s wife Grace (nee Farnsworth) had died suddenly about a year before while he was overseas. RCASC, (1st Divisional Supply Column). DT 24/04/41.
Fred enlisted in the Army 18/09/1939. The DT 4/12/41 reported that Fred had been seriously injured in the chest and lungs while on ‘active service’ in England. The community of Dresden were ‘pullin’ for him. He served in England, France, Sicily and Italy where he was wounded when the truck he was driving hit a land mine. According to Sgt. Alex Blackburn of Dresden who was riding in the same truck, “Kerr was thrown about twenty feet in the air. Fred suffered a broken leg, arm and finger in addition to numerous lacerations and was still carrying small parts of the land mine in his body”. Also in the truck at the time of the explosion was Pte. C. H. Shamley of Ridgetown who suffered a back injury, he also returned to London with Fred Kerr. CDN 8/01/44 In a ‘letter home from Sgt. Irvine Law to his sister Myrtle mentions Red Blackburn: “Red Blackburn and Fred Kerr, who are in the same unit as I am , were in a lorry that ran over a land mine. Fred was driving and he seemed to get the worst part of the blast.” DT 16/12/43
Upon arrival in London Fred proclaimed that “I guess this will be the last war I’ll be in.” Comparing the two wars Fred remarked that: “This war is much faster than the last one and much deadlier. But the medical aid in this one is much improved over the last one, and I have nothing but the highest praise for the hospitalization the boys get.”
Fred was discharged from the army 1/08/1945. Fred Kerr passes away in 1975.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Awards | C.V.S.M. with Clasp, 1939 to 1945 Star, Defense of Britain Medal |
| Sources | IODE Dresden(P), CDN (8/01/44) |
| Age | 40 |
| Birthplace | Born- April 16th, 1899 |
| When Enlisted | September 18th, 1939 |
| Next of Kin | Parents- Mr. & Mrs. George Kerr |
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