LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Hardy Caldwell KERR
Service No: 404249
Born: Brisbane QLD, 5 October 1920
Enlisted in the RAAF: 19 July 1940
Unit: No. 118 Squadron (RAF)
Died: Air Operations: (No. 118 Squadron Spitfire aircraft AA863), English Channel, 29 January 1942, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Ringwood Cemetery, Hampshire
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Thomas Caldwell Kerr and Lillian Violet Kerr, of Sherwood, Queensland, Australia
Roll of Honour: Brisbane QLD
Remembered: Panel 125, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 29 January 1942, Spitfire AA863 flown by Sergeant Kerr took part in an attack on an enemy target near Caen, France. On reaching the French coast the formation climbed to the cloud base and then flew inland over a fishing village Port en Bassam. Anti-aircraft fire was encountered and the formation kept wide of the village and reached its objective where a successful attack was carried out.
About 30 miles on the return journey and over the sea Sergeant Kerr’s aircraft was seen to be lagging behind. One of his comrades went back and could see that Kerr was in difficulties. His helmet was half off and he was pointing his thumbs down. He continued to maintain position for about a minute longer, gave a radio signal which was not understood, then climbed jerkily. His aircraft lost speed, emitted puffs of black smoke, and dived into the sea. When at about 500 feet Kerr baled out. The parachute opened and he alighted on the water. The location was reported and the other aircraft circled the spot for about 15 minutes when fuel became low and the formation had to return to base.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/132/134