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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 473

The superb mounted group of sixteen miniature dress medals worn by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir H. Kerr, K.C.V.O., C.M.G., O.B.E., 11th Hussars

Royal Victorian Order, Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, Badge, silver-gilt; British War and Victory Medals; Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold, with Swords, silver and enamel, mounted as worn, in a Spink & Son case, sold together with his Royal Canadian Humane Association Medal engraved 'Awarded to Howard Kerr, for Courage in the rescue of Effie Dunlop from drowning at Caribou Lake, July 1909', besides another unnamed example of similar type, enamel to second chipped on the reverse, enamel on fifteenth worn, very fine (16)

K.C.V.O. London Gazette 10 June 1948.

C.M.G. London Gazette 2 April 1935.

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1923.

Louis William Howard Kerr was born on 25 November 1894, the son of Captain W. R. Kerr and educated at Lower Canada College, Montreal and later Trinity College, Cambridge. While still in Canada he was awarded with the Royal Canadian Humane Association Medal, with Bravery suspension, for rescuing Effie Dunlop from drowning at Caribou Lake in July 1909. Enlisting with King Edward's Horse in 1913, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the Cheshire Yeomanry in 1914 and transferred to the 11th Hussars in 1915.

Kerr joined the Regiment in France in February 1916 and was with them when they were transferred to Egypt in 1919. He was appointed A.D.C. to Viscount Fitzalan of Derwent - the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland - from 1921-22. Appointed Equerry to H.R.H. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester in 1924, he remained with him for some time, notably joining the Garter Mission to Japan in 1929 and the visit to Australasia in 1934-35. On the outbreak of the Second World War, Kerr joined the Duke as his Personal Assistant during the Battle of France. At this time the Duke was serving as the Chief Liaison Officer to Lord Gort, the G.O.C. of the British Expeditionary Force. This appointment was not without its dangers as the Duke himself was almost killed during bombing raids more than once. Returning to Britain as the Blitz began he is reported to have said:

'Wherever I went or had been, I was bombed.'

Kerr was appointed Chief of Staff for the Duke as he began a programme of tours and visits to various locations, notably the Middle East, India and Ceylon. Later they were attached to American Forces in France, Belgium and Holland. After long and faithful service Kerr retired in 1950. He died on 11 July 1977; sold together with a typed biographical note and photographs of the recipients full-size Royal Canadian Humane Association Medal.

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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£450