Sgt John W. Kerr AIF

[Robert Dunlop]

This from Pedersen's account of Fromelles:

"Major General James Whiteside McCay, the 5th Division's commander, was a prewar politician who had been Defence Minister in 1940-45. Ambitious, clever and volatile, he was also a schoolmate and militia colleague of General Sir John Monash, Australia's greatest soldier. Unlike Monash, who could make imbeciles feel like intellectuals, McCay did not suffer fools gladly and made them feel like imbeciles. He was also a strict disciplinarian and was indifferent to danger, evoking at best grudging respect in those he led, but more often than not dislike or even loathing. A difficult subordinate as well, he never hesitated to tell his superiors where he thought they were going wrong.

After commanding a militia battalion and then the Australian Intelligence Corps, McCay had just been appointed Deputy Chief Censor when he was given 2 Brigade AIF in August 1914. His handling of it at Gallipoli reflected the extremes to which he was prone. Durin the attack at Krithia on 8 May, for example, he leapt onto the parapet against merciless fire to wave his men on, threatened some with his revolver and called others cowards.

When McCay arrived in Egypt on 22 March [1916, to take command of newly formed 5th Division], 14 and 15 Brigades were preparing for a three-day desert march to defensive positions on the Suez Canal. Although the men had just been inoculated, McCay made it a test in which they had to carry full pack, kit and ammunition - a load of 90lbs - in the 100 degree heat. Of the 900 who started from 56 Battalion, 38 [marched] into Moscar, the day's objective. On reaching the canal, each battalion was paraded to hear an insulting rebuke from McCay...

Of the twelve battalions in the 5th Australian Division, six had been in the front line [at Fromelles] for two days and the other six had not seen it at all when McCay received his initial orders [to attack] from Haking [who had commanded 1st Division in the disasterous attack against the same part of the line in May 1915]. The Australians would be attacking over the same ground and against the same opponents as the 8th Division had. Nevertheless, McCay welcomed the attack. According to Bean, 'The fact that his division, though the last of the AIF to arrive in France, would be the first in serious action, gave [him] much gratification.'

[After the battle] many [wounded] were brought in while the truce was referred to McCay. Aware of GHQ's position on truces, he rejected it. Monro and Haking approved the decision but the men saw it as another example of McCay's callousness.

All of [the Australians] lambasted McCay. In their eyes, his insensitive comments afterwards confirmed the reputation for callous indifference he had acquired at Gallipoli and on the desert march.

After the war, Australian veterans scrawled 'Butcher McCay' in red paint outside a servicemen's club he was visiting and one of the AIF's great heroes, Captain Albert Jacka VC, MC, publicly refused to shake his hand."

Robert

[Desmond7]

Thanks to all and especially Robert for the last bit - I knew I'd read something aboiut this general before but until recently did not know he had 'local' connection.

Thanks as always,

Des

[Guest bonza]

I liked this little story from October 12, 1917 edition of the Ballymena Observer.

Family history research was alive and well .. even in WW1 !

Sgt. John Wilson Kerr of the AIF visted Ballymena last week, His grandfather emigrated from the district in 1854 taking with him his family, which included Sgt. Kerr's father, Robert Kerr who was then six years of age.

Well, the story still lives, All Australian Newspapers carried similar reports on October 12 2004.

CRIKEY !!

The Kerrs are still at it.

The fortitude & fighting qualities of the famous Kerr warriors of Ballymeda, the city of the seven cowers, has again been displayed on the far flung frontiers of Civilisation. In tropical far north Queensland, the current heir to the Kerr County Seat, Andrew, allowed himself to be dragged from his tent by one of Australia's most efficient predators, a bloody huge croc!

There might well have been much weeping & gnashing of teeth but for the intervention of that more ferocious fenomenum the Ferral Aussie Grannie.

Well, it goes sumfin like that

ooRoo

[Desmond7]

Let's be Kerrful out there ....