Patrick Kerr

Killed in Action on the 01/05/1915 near St. Jean at the Battle of St. Julien (phase of the Battles of Ypres 1915)

In August 1914 the Battalion were in Ambala, India and were part of the Sirhind Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. They moved to France via Egypt, landing at Marseilles on the 01/12/1914 (some weeks after the other Brigades of the Division). Patrick arrived in France on the 25/03/1915 was reported as being "wounded and missing" on the 1st May 1915 near St. Jean during the Battle of St. Julien, 24th April - 4th May 1915. This was a phase of the Battles of Ypres (Second Ypres), 22nd April - 25th May 1915 : Often known as the Second Battle of Ypres, this began with surprise German attack using poison gas against French North African forces holding defences near Ypres. Both sides rushed reserves in and the battle developed into the second epic in that area. British Second Army withdraws to a shorter line near Ypres. SEE PHOTOS x 15 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY MARCH 1915 and PHOTOS x 16 FOR BATTALION WAR DIARY APRIL - 1st MAY 1915. Also see photos for the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser Newspaper clipping on the 26/06/1915 which states - PRIVATE P. KERR WOUNDED AND MISSING - Mrs Jessie Kerr, 53E Dundyvan Road, Coatbridge, has received the following letter from the Infantry Record Office, Hamilton : "Regret to inform you that a report has been received this day (3rd June) from the War Office to the effect that No. 10794 Private P. Kerr, H. L. I., was wounded in action on 1st May". "Private Kerr enlisted on the 3rd Sept. in the 1st H. L. I. He was employed as a Miner in Rosehall Colliery. He went to the Front in February, and his wife has had no word from him for six months, and all letters and parcels sent by her have been returned. Mrs Kerr would be glad if anyone could give her any information regarding her husband". Patrick is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Patrick's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, Patrick's Pension Records x 2, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial x 2, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, a Map of the Ypres Salient Front Line November 1914 - April 1918 and a Map of the Ypres Salient.