Course 39, No.4 Air Observer School, Crumlin, Ontario

1942

John Williamson Kerr, DFC




 The man with the hair lip (spelt h.a.i.r.) is another of our westerners, breezing into Toronto on the rods of a freight train some two and a half years ago from Regina, Saskatchewan, (west of here).  Playing on his alma mater's (Regina Central Collegiate Institute) hockey, basketball, tennis and badminton teams, it was only natural that this virtuoso of all-round athletics should eventually wind up on the exhibition squadron which performed before the Duke of Kent at the Canadian National Exhibition last August.  Jack enlisted in Toronto on May 20th and took time out to celebrate his 24 birthday last November 12.  Prior to enlistment, Jack was on the sales staff of a large Toronto wire and cable company.




Follow this link to view a photograph of John Williamson Kerr with his crew of the 429th Squadron, R.C.A.F.

KERR, F/L John Williamson (J11940) - Distinguished Flying Cross - Topcliffe - Award effective 6 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 16 January 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated 23 March 1945.  Born 1916; home in Regina or Port Credit, Ontario; enlisted Toronto, 12 May 1941.  Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 5 December 1941), No.4 AOS (graduated 16 March 1942), No.4 BGS (graduated 25 April 1942) and No.2 ANS (graduated 25 May 1942). Commissioned 1942.  Award presented 22 June 1949.  No citation other than "completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty."  Public Records Office Air 2/9039 has recommendation dated 26 October 1944 when he had flown 25 sorties (139 hours 30 minutes; prepared by S/L A.M. Ogilvie, Group Navigation Officer.  All sorties were in Wellington aircraft.  At the time of being recommended, he was Radar Navigation Officer at No.1659 Heavy Conversion Unit

21 Jan 43       Sea Sweep (4.30)                12 May 43      Duisburg (5.20)

16 Feb 43      Lorient (6.15)                       13 May 43      Bochum (5.50)

19 Feb 43      Wilhelmshaven (4.50)           23 May 43      Dortmund (4.50)

25 Feb 43      GARDENING, Juist (4.25)     25 May 43      Dusseldorf (5.10)

26 Feb 43      Cologne (5.25)                      11 Jun 43       Dusseldorf (5.30)

3 Mar 43         Hamburg (5.55)                    21 Jun 43       Krefeld (4.35)

5 Mar 43         Essen (4.55)                        22 Jun 43       Mulheim (4.40)

26 Mar 43      Duisburg (4.30)                       6 July 43        GARDENING, Brest (6.50)

28 Mar 43      St.Nazaire (5.45)                     13 Jul 43        Aachen (4.25)                    

4 Apr 43         Kiel (6.25)                              25 Jul 43        Essen (4.30)

8 Apr 43         Duisburg (5.15)                       27 Jul 43        GARDENING, Scharborn(4.35) 

10 Apr 43       Frankfurt (7.50)                       29 Jul 43        Hamburg (5.45) 

16 Apr 43       Mannheim (6.35)                                            

4 May 43        Dortmund (4.55)                  

As navigator, Flight Lieutenant Kerr has made many attacks against the enemy's most heavily defended targets, as well as having carried out mine-laying operations.  His navigation at all times has been of an exceptionally high standard which contributed largely to his crew completing their missions without serious mishaps.  His keenness, courage and devotion to duty have been most outstanding and he is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

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