VALOROUS OFFICER

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1932, Page 7

VALOROUS OFFICER

CHARGE, of BLACKMAIL FAILS. WAR INCIDENT RECALLED. LONDON,. February 1. Strange war secrets were revealed in London recently following the acquittal of Commander Charles Lester Kerr, who was accused at the Old Bailey of blaekmailng “Air Y.” a Parliamentary candidate at the general election.

It was disclosed that Commander Kerr was recommended for the Victoria Cross by his own men—a tribute not known to have been accorded any other officer in the history of the war.

Thisj extraordinary petition was made after Commander Kerr’s conduct at Nieuport Bains, in Flanders, in July, 1917/when he was in command of a battery of 9.2 in. naval guns manned by mixed crew of able seamen of the Royal Navy and Mar* ines. A man who served under Commander Kerr in the epic engagement saye: “He was the bravest man I ever met. At 'Nieuport on July 10, 1917, during the- German push, the battery was so near the front line that the emplacements were within range of machine-gun fire. “Commander Kerr kept up a devastating shelling, which played havoc with the enemy. He was always calm, kept the battery in action as tl'ough at practice, and went out into intense gunfire to rescue wounded men. Bin men were so impressed that they asked that he should be recommended for a V.C. But this could not be done, for he was in command, and there was no senior officer to pass on the recom- . niendatjon,”

Tears flooded the eyes of Commander Kerr when he heard the men’s petition, and he declared that he was more touched by their loyalty than by any award.