Alic Oscar Kerr was the son of Thomas Kerr (1862-1895) and his wife Hannah Ethlean, nee Millard(1870-1898). He also had a half brotherr, whom he named as next-of-kin, Kenneth Kerr (1897-1968). ALic was 23 and ten months old when he enlisted on 10 February, 1915. He was a clerk by occupation, but had also had twelve months serving with the Victorian Rifles. He was a tall man for his time, 5' 11" and by religion, Church of England. He also married, just before he left for overseas. His bride was Kathleen mIllard, who lived with her mother, Mrs Catherine Reper, at 201 George St., East Melbourne. The couple were married at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Hotham St., East Melbourne on 15 April, 1915.
Following training, probably at Maribynong, he was assigned to the 8th Field Artillery Brigade Reinforcements. He left Australia on 18 April, 1915, on board H.M.A.T. Hororata for Egypt. On 6 November, he was taken on strength from the reinforcements and sent to Gallipoli. The Gallipoli campaign was then in its concluding stages. On 13 November, he was wounded, with head injuries and shell shock. He was sent to hospital, probably on board ship, but transferred to the Military Hospital on Malta, probably St. Michael's. His head injury cannot have been too severe, because on 28 January, 1916, he was admitted to the No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital in Cairo, prepatory to being shipped home. On 28 January, 1916, he was shipped out for twelve months absence from battle.
Alic Kerr disembarked at Melbourne on 16 March, 1916 and was discharged from the AIF on 26 August, 1916, as 'medically unfit, nervous debility following injury and shell shock'. In fact, he was still with the military at home, stationed at the Maribynong Camp as a Warrant Officer/Instructor. On 27 August, 1916, he re-enlisted in the AIF, and embarked for service overseas on 10 October. On 9 November, he landed in Plymouth and then marched out to Camp 21 at Lark Hill to join the Reserve Brigade Australia Artillery (R.B.A.A.). On 1 April, 1917, he was in the Fargo Military Hospital with scabies. On 5 April, he was released from hospital and on 2 May, left England for France, where he was placed at the Australian General Base Depot at Etaples. On 18 May, he was taken on strength with the 15th Division Ammunition Column, then on 28 July, was transferred to the 14th Field Artillery Brigade, 55th Battery.
Alic Kerr must still have had some problems from his time at Gallipoli. On 21 November, he was detached from his Battery and sent back to 5th Australian Divisional Base at Havre, joining the Base on 24 November, 1917. On 19 December, he travelled back to England, marching in to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth to await his journey home. He left England on 30 January, 1918 on board H.T. Euripides, disembarking in Melbourne on 21 March. He was discharged from furth service on 27 April, declared medically unfit.
Following his army service, Alic Kerr served in the Repatriation Department for twlve months post-war. He and his wife were then living at their own house at 199 George St., East Melbourne. He probably got a Soldier Settler grant, because he then moved to Gippsland, farming and sawmilling at Yannathan and Tominbuk East, near Longwarry . In 1923, he sued Kathleen for divorce on the grounds of desertion. Alic had wanted them to live in Gippsland, but Hannah wished to stay in East Melbourne. He stood firm and he asked her to put 199 George St., on the market. His witness statement said '...during my temporary absence at the farm, the said respondent disposed at the property at No. 199 George St.' She had received the money for the house, plus she in receipt of a war pension 'drawn by her as my wife'. Hannah disappeared, having moved to Queensland as the companion for a wealthy lady, then gone abroad with her, her mother said, and she had not heard from her since. Alic was given the divorce. He died somewhere in Victoria, aged 66, in 1957.
Thanks to Karen Ash for her meticulous research.