Harry James Kerr

Tyne Cot Memorial. Authors image

Clyde R/2155

Able Seaman, Howe Battalion, RNVR, 188th Infantry Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division

Age: 19

Date of Death: 26.10.17

Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 2 and 3

Family history: Son of Andrew Rae Kerr & Mary Kerr, 27 Forth Street, Grangemouth.

Recruitment poster Royal Naval Division

Men of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division

The 63rd (Royal Naval) Division was originally formed as the Royal Naval Division from Royal Navy and Royal Marine Reservists as well as volunteers who were not needed for service at sea. It was formed of eight battalions named after naval commanders, Drake, Benbow, Hawke, Collingwood, Nelson, Howe, Hood and Anson, later being numbered from 1st to 8th. The division fought at Antwerp in 1914 and at Gallipoli in 1915. In 1916 the division was transferred to the British Army as the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, re-using the number from the disbanded second-line 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division Territorial Force. During the Second Battle of Passchendaele (26 October – 10 November 1917), the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division involvement is defined by two primary actions:

• 26 October: Supporting the Canadian Corps, the 188th Brigade initially captured Varlet Farm and Banff House. However, heavy resistance near Wallemolen forced troops to dig in, and by nightfall, they had to withdraw slightly to reform their line at Berks House.

• 30 October: The division suffered significantly after being caught by German artillery before the attack even began. Struggling through deep mud and machine-gun fire, they failed to link up with Canadian forces. While some troops eventually captured Source Trench, they were primarily limited to reinforcing outposts and holding defensive positions at Source and Vapour Farms.

  
  

The 63rd Division had 3,126 casualties from 26–31 October. The division was able to close up to the Paddebeek by attacking at night from 1/2–4/5 November, a method which took more ground than its attacks in October, for a loss of 14 killed and 148 wounded

The action leading to his death

The Royal Naval Division, 188th and 189th Brigades, were to take part in what became known as the Second Battle of Passchendaele with the planned advance to go beyond Poelcappelle and towards Westroosebeke. The Division was to attack along a 1,500 yard front, across ground which got gradually worse towards the north and being virtually impassable near the Lekkerboterbeek stream. Their first objective was along a line between Varley Farm and Banff House, approximately 300 yards in front, and the final objective lay across the Paddebeek stream some 500 yards further on. The ground was a shell holed quagmire and both Generals Gough and Plumer wanted the offensive brought to an end however, Haig insisted on pressing on until the Passchendaele Ridge had been secured. On the 24 October the Royal Naval Division relieved the 9th (Scottish) Division and prepared for the offensive on the 26 October. AB Harry Kerr was to be killed in this fighting.

Trench Map

Medals Awarded

Victory Medal, British War Medal