Private David Wesley Kerr was born in Elmvale, Ontario, on March 23, 1888, to parents John and Janet Kerr.
Kerr enlisted in Elmvale, Ontario, with the 177th Overseas Battalion on June 9, 1916, and shipped for England aboard the SS Metagama in May of 1917. While on board he took ill and died on May 11, 1917, and was buried at sea.
Content notes:
The collection’s only letter was written shortly after Pte. Kerr’s death by Captain W.G. Clarke, Chaplain with the 235th Battalion, in condolence to Pte. Kerr’s mother Mrs. Janet Kerr of Elmvale, Ontario.
External links:
Pte. David Kerr’s service record (Serv/Reg# 853573) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.
Burial information is available at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
A memorial page honouring Kerr can be visited online at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.