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Aug 6, 1890
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Born in Wingham, Ontario to John and Mary (nee
Fyfe) Kerr
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Apr 8, 1916
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Attested into the 70th Battalion CEF
in London, Ontario
Ø Number 124728
Ø Next of kin given as John
Kerr, father, Wingham, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as
Merchant
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Methodist
Ø Posted to “D” Company
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Apr 24, 1916
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Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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May 5, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded
to Shorncliffe
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Jul 6, 1916
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Transferred to the 39th Reserve
Battalion in West Sandling
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Sep 10, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Sep 11, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21st
Battalion
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Oct 4, 1916
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After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2nd
Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Albert, France
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Oct 6, 1916
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After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private
Kerr joined the 21st Battalion in the front line north-east of
Albert, France
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Apr 9, 1917
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During the capture of Vimy Ridge, Private Kerr
received a shrapnel wound to his right leg and was evacuated to a field
ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing
station where the shrapnel was removed
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Apr 11, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 32 Stationary Hospital in
Wimereux, France
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Apr 13, 1917
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Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship
Princess Elizabeth
On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Auxiliary
Military Hospital (the Red House) in Cromer
Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario
Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital
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May 17, 1917
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Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital
in Woodcote Park, Epsom
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Jun 22, 1917
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Discharged from hospital care and transferred to
the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford
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Jan 21, 1918
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Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal
without pay
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Mar 8, 1918
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Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal with pay
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Jan 1, 1919
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Promoted to the rank of Corporal with pay
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Feb 14, 1919
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To receive extra employment pay as a Clerk
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Feb 27, 1919
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Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Sergeant
with pay
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Jun 23, 1919
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Transferred to the No. 3 Regimental Depot and
attached to the Canadian Machine Gun Depot in Crowborough
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Jul 23, 1919
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Ceased to draw extra employment pay
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Jul 26, 1919
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Transferred to “R” Wing in Witley pending return
to Canada
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Aug 13, 1919
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Embarked the SS Saxonia in London
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Aug 24, 1919
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded
to London, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of No. 1 District Depot
Casualty Company
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Aug 26, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in London, Ontario
Ø Rank on discharge Sergeant
Ø War Service Badge Class “A”
issued number 256959
Ø Proposed residence on
discharge Wingham, Ontario
Following his discharge, the British War Medal
and Victory Medals were sent to him at 43 Wellington St., St. Thomas, Ontario
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Jun 1, 1920
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Married to Kathleen Irene Walsh in London,
Ontario
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May 15, 1971
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Percy Towler Kerr died and was buried in the
Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia, Ontario
Percy
Towler Kerr is honoured on a plaque held by the Elgin County Military
Museum in St. Thomas, Ontario. The plaque was originally on
display in the Andersons Department Store in St. Thomas. The
photos below are courtesy of John Sergeant
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