LEST WE FORGET - WILLIAM HENRY KERR

Bill Kerr, the son of a market gardener, spent his early years tilling the soil and tending the crops. Then came the war. A rifle replaced the spade.

Bill’s training and experience with a rifle as a teenager paid dividends in the army. He scored highly in target practice. Initially, he wanted to enlist but was underage and his parents did not give permission.

He joined the Home Service and was posted to the Engineers at Clarendon Racecourse and underwent training in searchlights, sound locators and Lewis machine guns. With his training completed he was sent to the 61st Searchlight Company. Bill was on duty when the Japanese midget submarines attacked in Sydney harbour. In 1942 he was transferred to the AIF with the possibility of serving overseas.

He spent time with his new unit in Wollongong, Brisbane, and North Queensland where he regularly patrolled the coast for enemy infiltration. Now a Section Sergeant, he guarded Darwin airstrips for aircraft fighting in the Coral Sea and later a stint in Alice Springs.

In the latter months of the war when the Allied forces gained control, Bill used his expertise as a motorbike instructor and with his 24 member team performed stunts at city and country shows. Their repertoire included crossovers at high speed, pyramid riding and the daredevil leap through a fiery hoop.

These events were popular and helped raise money for the war effort. Bill completed the NCO Course but was too young to receive a commission. He rose to the rank of full Sergeant and was acting CSM on several occasions.

He lives forever in our memories.

CLARENDON 1942