Andrew William Kerr

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Captain (retired) Andrew William Kerr, (23 March, 1877 – 28 March, 1929) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

The son of Admiral Lord Walter Kerr was born in Brompton. He would not prove a superb naval officer.[1]

Kerr was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 August, 1898.[2]

Kerr was appointed to the battleship Canopus from 17 July, 1906. He promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 31 August, 1906 but received a negative S.206 evaluation from Cdr. Sandeman which noted that he was intemperate and "slow in thought & action — not reliable or fond of hard work." Further reports were requested, which showed, according to Captain Gamble, improvement which coincided with Kerr having "practically given up spirits". However, this was substantially offset with his further evaluation: "not likely to make a smart or good officer."[3]

Kerr was appointed to the battleship London as first officer on 2 January, 1911. On 9 May, he was invalided from the ship, having "ruptur[ed] [illeg] fibre right leg and morbis cordis functional." He returned home, and on 18 May at Haslar Hospital, the diagnosis was changed to "heart disease." Odder yet, he was pronounced fit just a week later. Another series of medical entries later that year culminated in him being declared fit for Shore Service only. It appears this was too much; Kerr was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 17 October, 1911.[4]

Kerr was promoted to the rank of Commander on 23 March, 1914. He would serve in the battleship Canopus through 9 July, 1915. He served through the rest of the war in shore appointments at Glasgow and the Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham, ultimately reverting to the Retired List on 15 March, 1919.[5]

Kerr was promoted to the rank of Captain (retired) on 23 March, 1922.[6]

He died aged 44 at 44 Thurloe Square, London.

See Also

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Henry W. Parker
Captain of H.M. T.B. 66
15 Jun, 1897[7] – 10 Jul, 1897[8]
Succeeded by
Rowland E. Stokes-Rees
Preceded by
Joseph A. Shuter
Captain of H.M.S. Ariel
6 Apr, 1905[Fact Check] – Apr, 1905[Inference]
Succeeded by
Basil G. Washington

Footnotes

  1. Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/308. f. 311.
  2. Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/308. f. 311.
  3. Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/308. f. 311.
  4. Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/308. f. 311.
  5. Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/308. f. 311.
  6. Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/308. f. 311.
  7. Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/308. f. 311.
  8. Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/308. f. 311.