SECRET OF THE WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 41, 18 February 1932, Page 8

SECRET OF THE WAR

NAVAL OFFICER'S VALOUR. OWN MEN RECOMMEND V.C. Strange war secrets were revealed in ; London recently following the acquittal of Commander Charles Lester Kerr who was accused at the Old Bailey oj blackmailing “Mr. 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. This 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 a mixed crew of able seamen of the Royal Navy and Marines. A man who served under Commander Kerr in the epic engagement says:— “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 machinegun fire. “Commander Kerr kept up a devastating shelling, which played havoc with the enemy. He was always calm, kept the battery in action as though at practice, and went out into intense gunfire to rescue woulded men. His 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 recommendation. ’ ’ 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.