Ralph Kerr | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 16 August 1891 |
| Died | 24 May 1941(1941-05-24) (aged 49) AboardHMS Hood in theDenmark Strait |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Service years | 1904 – 1941 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | HMS Cossack HMS Windsor HMS Thruster HMS Decoy Senior Officer,Reserve Fleet HMS Duncan HMS Hardy HMS Broke HMS Hood |
| Conflicts | World War I |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) |
CaptainRalph KerrCBE (16 August 1891 – 24 May 1941) was an officer in theRoyal Navy. He served in theFirst andSecond World Wars, and was killed in the sinking ofHMS Hood by theGerman battleshipBismarck at theBattle of the Denmark Strait.
Kerr was born on 16 August 1891, the only son of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Russell Kerr, and his wife Lady Kerr, ofNewnham on Severn,Gloucestershire. He joined the Royal Navy on 15 May 1904, and after service as acadet he rose through the ranks, being promoted to Lieutenant on 28 February 1914.[1] He served in the First World War, spending most of the period aboard thebattleshipHMS Benbow, theflagship of Admiral SirDoveton Sturdee. He was present at theBattle of Jutland in May 1916, and by 1918 he had been given his own command, that of thedestroyerHMS Cossack.[1]
Kerr was promoted to commander on 30 June 1927, and in December 1928 he was given command of the destroyerHMS Windsor, followed byHMS Thruster in August 1929. He commandedThruster until February 1931, and after a year on land, returned to sea in February 1932 in command ofHMS Decoy. Promotion to captain followed on 30 June 1935, and on 6 September 1935 he became commander of theFlotilla leader and captain (D) of the 21st Destroyer Flotilla.[1] He stepped down from the position on 22 May 1936. His commander, Admiral Thomson, reported that he had found Kerr to be
"A very capable Captain (D) who has trained his Flotilla well. An officer probably much better suited to the practical side of naval life rather than to Staff duties. A strong personality with definite powers of command and a very good seaman. Most loyal and is very thorough in the carrying out of his duties. Social qualities good. Physically fit and has good powers of endurance."[1]
Kerr became senior officer,Reserve Fleet aboardHMS Caledon in July 1936, transferring toHMS Colombo on 3 November 1936.[1] As well as being the senior officer of the reserve fleet he then also became chief staff officer to the rear-admiral of the10th Cruiser Squadron, where he remained for the next year, until July 1937. Vice-AdmiralSir Gerald Dickens also produced a highly favourable report, noting that Kerr was
"A very keen zealous officer who has done well as Senior Officer Reserve Fleet. Has plenty of character and drive and is mentally alert. A good seaman and a sound administrator. Very loyal, while ambitious to do well. Good social qualities. Keeps fit."[1]
Kerr was to have then received an appointment to command the Flotilla leaderHMS Duncan, where he would be captain (D) of the8th Destroyer Flotilla. The appointment was cancelled before he could take it up, however.[1] Instead, after a period of training, he became commander ofHMS Hardy and captain (D) of the2nd Destroyer Flotilla. During this period he served under Vice-AdmiralJohn Tovey, and impressed both him, and the Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Admiral SirDudley Pound.[1] Kerr then took command ofHMS Broke and the15th Destroyer Flotilla, later transferring to theshore establishmentHMSCochrane, atRosyth on 30 August 1939. He remained at Rosyth with the Rosyth Destroyer Force until 24 January 1940, spending time on the staff of the commander-in-chief, Rosyth. He was awarded theCBE in 1940.[1]
Kerr took command of thebattlecruiserHMS Hood on 15 February 1941. Command of the Navy's largest capital ship was a major change, Kerr having only previously commanded destroyers.[1] He took her to sea on the completion of her refit in mid March, and carried out gunnery exercises and patrols offIceland.[1] He was commander ofHood for just three months, when he was killed at theBattle of the Denmark Strait, along with most of his crew, whenHood was sunk by theGerman battleshipBismarck. He was posthumouslymentioned in dispatches.[1] Kerr is commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial.[2]
He had married Margaret Augusta Kerr on 14 February 1920, the marriage producing two children, Russell and Jane. They resided inSt John's Wood,London. Russell Kerr, who had served as a captain in theRoyal Artillery and as a tank commander, was killed while fighting inBurma in 1945.[1][3]
