George Fraser Kerr

Captain George Fraser Kerr, VC, MC & Bar, MM, was one of Canada’s most highly decorated soldiers of the First World War. He was born in Deseronto, Ontario, on 8 June 1894, the son of John James Kerr and Isabella Fraser. He was educated in Deseronto, at Galt Collegiate Institute, and later in Toronto, where he was training to become a chemist before the war. (Queen’s Own Rifles Museum)

Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Kerr enlisted as a private in the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. His service number was 9570. He served with the battalion on the Western Front and rose steadily through the ranks, from private to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and finally captain. (Canadian Great War Project)

Kerr first distinguished himself during the fighting at Mount Sorrel in June 1916. After his platoon officer was wounded and his sergeant killed, Kerr took control of the platoon, led it forward to its objective, established a bombing post, and held the position throughout the day. For this action he was awarded the Military Medal. (Queen’s Own Rifles Museum)

He was later commissioned as an officer and continued to show exceptional courage during the final Allied offensives of 1918. On 8 August 1918, during the Battle of Amiens, Kerr led his platoon forward under heavy fire, helped close a dangerous gap in the line, captured enemy guns, and cleared machine-gun positions. Although wounded, he remained with his men. For his leadership and gallantry he received the Military Cross. (Wikipedia)

Only a few weeks later, during the attack on the Drocourt-Quéant Line, Kerr again displayed conspicuous courage and initiative. He led men forward against enemy machine-gun positions and helped another company that had been held up by heavy fire. For this action he received a Bar to his Military Cross. (Wikipedia)

Kerr’s greatest act of gallantry came on 27 September 1918, during the Battle of the Canal du Nord near Bourlon Wood. While serving as a lieutenant with the 3rd Battalion, he commanded the left support company in the advance. When machine-gun fire held up the attack, Kerr worked around the enemy position and helped overcome it. Later, near the Arras-Cambrai road, he went forward alone against a strong enemy position and captured four machine guns and thirty-one prisoners. For this action he was awarded the Victoria Cross. (Canada)

After the war, Kerr returned to Toronto. He was discharged from the Canadian Expeditionary Force in July 1919 as medically unfit, having been wounded twice in action and later injured after the Armistice. He continued to be associated with the militia and worked in the metal-supply business. (Library and Archives Canada Blog)

George Fraser Kerr died in Toronto on 8 December 1929 and was buried with military honours at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. His medal group, consisting of the Victoria Cross, Military Cross with Bar, Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal, was later donated to the Canadian War Museum. (Legion Magazine)

Kerr’s record represents four distinct acts of gallantry: the Military Medal at Mount Sorrel, the Military Cross at Amiens, the Bar to the Military Cross at Drocourt-Quéant, and the Victoria Cross at Bourlon Wood. He was not awarded a Mention in Despatches.