Aircraftman 2nd Class Samuel John Kerr of Portadown, Co. Armagh died on 26th November 1940 at a military hospital at R.A.F. Honington, Suffolk, England.
Aircraftman 2nd Class
976712
Aircraftman 2nd Class Samuel John Kerr (976712) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. He was the eldest son of Samuel Kerr and Alice Kerr of 7 Watson Street, Portadown, Co. Armagh.
Samuel enlisted in December 1939 aged 19 years old. His father had served during The Great War with the Royal Garrison Artillery. In civilian life, Samuel Jr. had worked for the Great Northern Railway and was a member of the Edenderry Recreation Club in his hometown.
Aircraftman 2nd Class Kerr died on 26th November 1940 aged 20 years old at a military hospital at R.A.F. Honington, Suffolk, England. Many newspapers including the Northern Whig and Belfast Telegraph carried the news of the airman’s death. Reports indicated he was an “Assistant Cook”, perhaps a mistranslation of A/C meaning Aircraftman.
Leading Aircraftman 2nd Class Kerr’s grave is in the Old Ground, Grave 1384 of Seagoe Cemetery, Portadown, Co. Armagh. Reverend George W. Millington conducted services at the family home, St. Mark’s Church, Portadown, Co. Armagh and at the graveside. Members of the British Legion acted as pallbearers. His name is on the Portadown War Memorial, Portadown, Co. Armagh. His headstone bears the inscription:
Time cannot dim the face we loved.
