CRBeery Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 Hello, I collect Imperial German items mostly but recently I have wanted to add a WW1 trio to my collection to balance things out. I did buy one single medal and figured out how to look some information on the original recipient. That medal had a 5 digit number, a name, and an abbreviated name for his unit?? This week I was on the road and I found a trio and I am totally lost as to what or who this man was. I will list what the medals have on them and if you can help I would greatly appreciate it.1914-1915 starLIEUT. G. K. G. KERR.SHROPS. L. I.War medal (I am not sure of the real name)LIEUT. G. K. G. KERR. R.F.C.Victory medalLIEUT. G. K. G. KERR. R.F.C.I know the rank and name but I am lost as to the rest. I will post pictures when I get a little more time as they are on an interesting display from Harrods - sorry I am just worn out from the drive around Lake Erie.Thanks,CRBeery
Guest Rick Research Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 Lieutenant Kerr was originally in the Shropshire Light Infantry and then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.I'm sure one of the British guys here can tell you whether he survived the war or not.As an aviator, try the experts athttp://theaerodrome.com/forum/index.phpby asking about this name in their "People" sub-Forum
Chris Boonzaier Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 Hello, I collect Imperial German items mostly but recently I have wanted to add a WW1 trio to my collection to balance things out. I did buy one single medal and figured out how to look some information on the original recipient. That medal had a 5 digit number, a name, and an abbreviated name for his unit?? This week I was on the road and I found a trio and I am totally lost as to what or who this man was. I will list what the medals have on them and if you can help I would greatly appreciate it.1914-1915 starLIEUT. G. K. G. KERR.SHROPS. L. I.War medal (I am not sure of the real name)LIEUT. G. K. G. KERR. R.F.C.Victory medalLIEUT. G. K. G. KERR. R.F.C.I know the rank and name but I am lost as to the rest. I will post pictures when I get a little more time as they are on an interesting display from Harrods - sorry I am just worn out from the drive around Lake Erie.Thanks,CRBeeryHi,Sounds like a very above average Trio.He moved from the Shropshire light infantry to the Royal Flying Corps, if you are very, very lucky, he may have been a pilot !!!!!!
Chris Boonzaier Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 Rick, you be to fast for an old man !
Guest Rick Research Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 AND I had time to zip down into the Vast Subterranean Archive to see if this Kerr was kindred to the Marquesses of Lothian (I don't think so), checked out the British 1935 "Who's Who?" (no joy) and the 1970 Burke's Knightage (ditto).There's always the possibility he emigrated to the U.S. and died locally to where you picked the medals up, but DRAT our Social Security Death Index which requires a first name, date of birth AND doesn't bother with useful/crucial middle initials.
CRBeery Posted October 21, 2005 Author Posted October 21, 2005 Well, I have to admit that Royal Flying Corps did come to mind but I am not ever that lucky. Wouldn't it be funny if my first pilot group was British! I will get photos and try the link from Rick over the weekend.THANKS!!!
Tony Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 What a fantastic group!I just did a quick check on the Commonwealth War Graves site and only 1 Lt. kerr (in the 2nd Flying Training School) of the RAF is listed. He was Lt. RW Kerr from Canada who died 12.8.18.I don't have a copy of the Soldier's Died CD but GKG Kerr may be on it, I can ask elsewhere.I always thought medals to the RFC where for members who didn't make it through to April 1918 when the change to RAF was made, I'm probably wrong there though.Here's a link to the CWGC in case you turn up with more Commonwealth medals. http://www.cwgc.org/cwgcinternet/search.aspxTony
Tony Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 (edited) War medal (I am not sure of the real name)LIEUT. G. K. G. KERR. R.F.C.Forgot to mention before, it's the British War Medal or BWM.By the way, I was in the KSLI museum 2 weeks ago with Dave B. Shame we didn't have his name then as they may have had some info too.Tony Edited October 21, 2005 by Tony
Tony Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 I might have found him.Geoffrey Kemble Grinham KerrShropshire Light Infantry, Lieutenant Royal Air Force, Captain He didn't turn up on the 1901 census so he could have been Scottish or even related to RW Kerr from Canada.At least you have a name for him and may even find more info if you are prepared to pay for his medal index card download.I wonder why the NA site has him down as a Captain and his medals don't. Acting rank maybe?Tony
Tony Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 I've asked elsewhere and have been informed he's not on the Soldier's Died CD either so, the lucky bugger must have survived the war.Tony
Nick Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 Soldiers Died to my recollection does not include RFC officers.Nick
Tony Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 Soldiers Died to my recollection does not include RFC officers.NickWell that's a good reason for not finding him there. I've been told he's not in the book 'The Sky Their Battlefield' either which lists casualties from enemy action. Tony
Guest Rick Research Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 Though notoriously unreliable unless verified, the Mormons show a "Geoffrey Kerr" born 25 January 1895 in London, England, married by 1930 to a June Walker (b. NY 14 June 1904) "of New York" and there are TWO subsequent generations of New York Geoffrey (unusual spelling this side, where Jeffrey is the norm) Kerrs of New York state on the Social Security Death Index. May all be red herrings.
Tony Posted October 21, 2005 Posted October 21, 2005 If it's the same person Rick he must have left London before 1901.
CRBeery Posted October 22, 2005 Author Posted October 22, 2005 Great information guys! Sorry it has taken this long for pictures but I was a little road weary. Hope these are OK.
CRBeery Posted October 22, 2005 Author Posted October 22, 2005 Front of the frame. I wanted a medal bar but this frame will do nicely.
CRBeery Posted October 22, 2005 Author Posted October 22, 2005 There is some age fading to the velvet. Are these common?
CRBeery Posted October 22, 2005 Author Posted October 22, 2005 The frame can stand or be hung on the wall. It is from Harrods and the medals fit in nicely.
Tony Posted October 23, 2005 Posted October 23, 2005 I've only ever seen modern frames for the trio or pair but saying that, I've been in Germany since late 83 and British awards are unfortunately thin on the ground here.Tony
deptfordboy Posted October 23, 2005 Posted October 23, 2005 Hi All, I have seen frames from time to time - usually in antique shops rather than medal fairs etc. I suspect they are a relatively frequent purchase for middle class families of officers, most often with casualties, which incorporate the 'death penny'. The Harrods label is a nice touch, though it can get even more interesting if you have a frame made locally to the soldier - I saw one which was made up to a Wimbledon officer casualty and the framers was still there - in fact only closed about a year ago, to make way for luxury flats (naturallY). Cheers Gilbert
CRBeery Posted October 24, 2005 Author Posted October 24, 2005 I posted this on Aerodrome and two people have replied. I knew I was not lucky enough to get a pilot but an observer is almost as good to me considering I just bought this as a trio to an officer. I am very happy with my new group.Thanks for all of your help.Frank_Olynyk Forum Ace --------------------------------------------------------------------------------He was an observer with 15 Squadron in 1916. He and his pilot (Capt. A B Adams) filed three combat reports for indecisive combats, while flying the BE 2c.Frank.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------He is also mentioned in RFC Communique No 45 where he is listed as having been wounded in action on 28 July 1916.Graeme
joe campbell Posted October 24, 2005 Posted October 24, 2005 doggone you guys are good!very interesting to watch thissequence. and the medal displayis beautiful.thanks for an interesting read!joe
Stogieman Posted October 25, 2005 Posted October 25, 2005 Wow, I just talked to Chet.... pretty nice stuff!
notned Posted November 2, 2005 Posted November 2, 2005 Awesome set there!i have not seen a display frame like that before, prolly not down here anyways...but i like it!its nice and period looking which is part of the history of the display.But certainly a nice find indeed! RFC...wow!Heres my wee tribute to my Great Grandad Leslie Gordon Forbes NZMGC(It was huge...so i resized it and thusly lost quality...sorry)CheersPaul
Gunner 1 Posted December 17, 2005 Posted December 17, 2005 Reference Lt. G K G Kerr - the following is from The Times of 8 Aug 1916, Page 2, Column G: Gunner 1
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