Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Military Service

Additional Information

Son of Donald Kerr and Catherine Kelson of Ardrossan, Ayshire, Scotland. Husband of Rosina Maud Parry of Lambeth, London, England.

On 22 February 1942, the German battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst attacked convoy HX-106. At around 12:44 pm, the Gneisenau attacked the freighter A.D. Huff and cannoned her 625 miles (982 km) east of Cape Race, Newfoundland. After firing 32 shells, the target was hit and sank in position 47°12'N/40°13'W. Two sailors were killed, while the other 37 crew members, including Kerr, were taken in by the attacker. They were transferred to the German supply ship Ermland and taken prisoner of war. They ended the war in the Stalag XB camp at Marlag und Milag Nord, near Bremerhaven, Germany. They were liberated on 27 April 1945. Kerr probably died of wounds sustained during the attack or as a result of his captivity.

Commemorated on Page 165 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.