Source: File: Corporal John Chip Kerr VC (right) With his Brother Sergeant
Rollie Kerr (left). See an original
image at: <http://www.canadiancolour.ca/2015/03/11/john-chipman-kerr-vc/>
[Accessed
01 November 2016]
In a region of Canada’s
British Columbia,
Out of the
shadows of rocky mountains,
Flowed a
tributary of the River Columbia -
Flatbow water, to
later become known
As Kootenay
River; the name of a region,
A wide, wild untamed land to be settled on.
Miners and smelt
workers being among
The first to
settle there - also where a young
John Chipman Kerr
took up employment
As a lumberjack,
until his mid 20's - in 1912
Buying a
homestead, John and Charles
Rollie Kerr took up new lives as farmers.
Settling in
Alberta a province of forests,
Badlands,
mountains and prairies they
Took to life on
land close to Spirit River;
A northern
Alberta town that sprung
As a trading post
along the water - yet
After only two
years news of war came.
Though thousands
of miles away, the
Bothers decided
to play a part and travel
To Alberta's
capital Edmonton - in quick
Decision to go, the brothers shut the door
Of their humble
home, being little more than
A shed - a note gave any reader a clue.
'War is Hell,
but what is homesteading?'
In Alberta's
capital both John and Rollie
Signed up to
the Loyal Edmonton Rgt.
This reserve
force given authorization
By 7 November
1914 - 'The Loyal Eddies'
Prepared to
leave Canada ready for war.
With both
brothers in the 49th Battalion,
The date 3 June
1915 saw force sail for
Britain to
finally reach France, 9 October.
Under Canadian
Major General Mercer
Brothers Private
Chip Kerr and Rollie Kerr
Became part of
the 3rd Canadian Division.
On the Somme
Private Kerr joined battle
For Flers-Courcelette
- this the prime
Objective for the
Canadian Corps - the
Date of 16
September Private John Kerr
Was a bayonet man with a bombing party;
'Chip' Kerr was
hit by a sudden explosion.
He found a
finger of one hand was blown
Away. Despite
the rise of pain he wrapped
The hand and
carried on - he could still fire
His gun and
parry his bayonet - then when
The chance arose
he could not leave;
Having become
separated from his team.
Kerr carried on
in exchange of grenades
With nearby
enemy - running he jumped
From the trench
on the side, with layered
Parados -
immediately he came under
Fire but he ran
forwards towards where
He came into
close contact with the enemy.
He aimed, fired,
aimed again, all in rapid
Succession
taking down many enemy -
In belief that
they must be surrounded by
This soldiers
actions, the Germans quickly
Gave surrender
- Kerr had led the capture
Of 250 trench
yards, along with 62 prisoners.
No. 101465
Private John Chipman Kerr
Of Canadian
Infantry became recognised
For bravery -
despite a wound he had fooled
Germans to
think they were surrounded - and
Found himself
cited in the London Telegraph,
Friday 27
October, amid awards of new V.C.s.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1916. Fifteen New V.C's. The
Daily Telegraph, [online] 27 October 1916. P.8. Col.7. Available at:
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12213502/Daily-Telegraph-October-27-1916.html>
[Accessed: 01 November 2016].
Source: File: John Chipman Kerr Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chipman_Kerr> [Accessed 01November 2016]
Source: File: Victoria
Cross - First World War, 1914-1918 John Chipman Kerr
Available at: <http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-Dhp/gal/vcg-gcv/bio/kerr-jc-eng.asp> [Accessed 01November 2016]
Source: File: Library
and Archives Canada Blog Private John Chipman Kerr VC Available
at: <https://thediscoverblog.com/2016/09/16/private-john-chipman-kerr-vc/> [Accessed 01November 2016]
Source: File:
Private John Chipman
Kerr VC Available at: <https://townspirit.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/private-john-chipman-kerr/> [Accessed 01November 2016]
Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 01 November 2016).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1medal
