Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Commander M. P. C. Kerr, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals; Russian Order of St Anne, 3rd class with swords, by Keibel, gold and enamels, the last with chip to obverse central medallion, otherwise good very fine (7) £350-400

Mark Peregrine Charles Kerr was born on 20 October 1891, son of Arthur Herbert Kerr, of Malton, Yorkshire. He joined the Navy as a Midshipman on 15 January 1909, being promoted to Sub-Lieutenant in April 1912 and to Lieutenant in April 1914. He served during the Great War aboard Berwick until October 1915, Zulu until September 1916, and was then in command of T.B.15 until November 1917, and of P.11 until May 1918. He was mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 23 May 1917, ‘for good services performed in the Dover Patrol for period 1 July to 31 December 1916.’

In April 1919 he was appointed to Cyclops, additional for duty with the Principal Naval Transport Officer at Archangel, North Russia, and for command of a Motor Launch. His service record confirms ‘granted unofficial permission to wear ribbon of Russian Order of St Anne, 3rd Class with Swords and Bow, 15.11.19’, but, in common with most Russian awards of this period, it does not appear to have been published in the London Gazette. Kerr was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander in April 1922 and retired as a Commander in April 1932. Recalled for service in 1939 for Naval Consular Shipping duties, he served at Funchal from June 1940 to May 1942, and at Diego Suarez from July 1942 until late 1944. Commander Kerr died on 22 February 1951.