KERR, Flight Sergeant Henry James Forster (R53757) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.149 Squadron - Award effective 7 May 1942 as per London Gazette dated 15 May 1942 and AFRO 809/42 dated 29 May 1942. Born at Mountain, Ontario, 4 March 1920; home in Russell, Ontario; student at Ottawa Technical School when he enlisted in Ottawa, 15 April 1940. To No.1 WS, 23 May 1940 with rank of LAC from that date; to No.1 BGS, 27 October 1940; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 23 November 1940. To Embarkation Depot, 4 December 1940; to RAF overseas, 14 December 1940. Commissioned 22 May 1942 (J16073). Invested with award by King George VI, 30 December 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 22 April 1943. Repatriated 19 July 1943. To No.20 EFTS, 4 September 1943. To No.6 SFTS, 13 November 1943. Graduated as pilot, 6 April 1944 and posted to No.1 OTU, Bagotville. To “Y” Depot, 9 September 1944. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, 23 September 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 22 October 1944. Repatriated 5 August 1945. Retired 12 September 1945. Died in Russell County, Ontario, 2000. // One night in April 1942, this airman was the rear gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack the Heinkel Works at Rostock. After leaving the target area his aircraft was suddenly attacked by an enemy fighter which opened fire from close range. As the attacker broke away, Flight Sergeant Kerr delivered an accurate burst of fire causing the enemy aircraft to waver and then dive sharply. It was then observed to catch fire and finally it exploded with a bright flash. By his great coolness and efficiency this airman contributed materially to the safe return of his aircraft. Flight Sergeant Kerr has participated in numerous sorties and has always set an excellent example. // Original recommendation in Public Record Office file Air 2/8466 (cited in Ian Tavender, The Distinguished Flying Medal for the Second World War (Savannah Publications, 2000) drafted 29 April 1942 when he had flown 28 sorties (169 operational hours). // On the night of 26th/28th April 1942, Flight Sergeant Kerr was detailed as rear gunner of Stirling aircraft “B” with the rest of the crew to attack the Heinkel Works at Rostock. After leaving the target, the aircraft was attacked by an Me.110. The visibility for the rear gunner was very poor and the enemy aircraft was able to approach the aircraft silhouetted against the moon. The enemy aircraft was not observed until he opened fire, in which position he fired a long burst from underneath and slightly to starboard. He then broke away at point blank range directly under the rear turret, climbing and going away to port at a slower speed that the Stirling. Flight Sergeant Kerr had then a clear view of the Me.110's belly and, at a range of 50 yards, he opened fire, 200 rounds per gun. At 125 yards, the Me..110 appeared to waver, reduce speed, his nose went down and his navigation lights went on. Immediately after that, it appeared that the whole of the centre of the attacking aircraft was on fire and a second or two after, it was seen to explode with a bright flash. Undoubtedly, Flight Sergeant Kerr was largely responsible for the safe return of his aircraft that night by his coolness and courage in the attack. He has consistently shown the same coolness, courage and ability of the highest order in all his sorties. // Public Record Officer Air 50/219 has Combat Report for 26/27 April 1942 which gave following account, apparently involving a head-on attack by a Me.110: // Stirling Mark I, “B”, W7510 of 149 Squadron, 50 miles NW of Den Helder flying at 5,000 feet at 0517 hours at A.I.S. 150 m.p.h. on course 259̊, after bombs had been dropped, in good visibility, was approached by Me.110 from starboard quarter below. Enemy aircraft first sighted at 25 feet when it opened fire with cannon and machine guns causing considerable damage to fuselage, hydraulics, IFF and DR compass, inflicting flesh wounds on front and mid-upper gunners. As enemy aircraft broke away to port, our rear gunner (Flight Sergeant Kerr) fired a long burst from his four guns, opening at 25/30 yards and continuing till 250 yards when enemy aircraft burst into flames. Navigation lights came on and then enemy aircraft exploded. No searchlights. No flak. No IFF. Our aircraft was between moon and enemy aircraft. No evasive action. Enemy aircraft claimed as destroyed. // Note: Wellington R1181 took off from RAF Mildenhall at 1230 hours on the 10th April 1941, // on a training flight, in which the aircraft was travelling from Mildenhall to Bassingbourne, collided with trees and crashed, demolishing a cottage at Holmsey Green, Mildenhall, Suffolk, UK. Two of the crew were killed and the others were injured. // Crew : // RAF PO Fisher, J H Captain (Pilot) Seriously Injured // RAAF 402011 Sgt R J Uhrig, ((Pilot) Died of Injuries // RAF Sgt J K Moseley, (Observer) Died of Injuries // RAF Sgt D C Smallbone, (Wireless Air Gunner) Seriously Injured // RAF Sgt C Ingleby (Wireless Air Gunner) Slightly Injured // RCAF Sgt H J F Kerr, ( Air Gunner) Slightly Injured. // RAF Sgt R L Clarke, (Air Gunner) Slightly Injured // A court of Inquiry findings into the accident found that : “The Pilot did not make full use of the largest runway with the wind in the direction at a strength that day and had not made full use the flaps to assist take off. The aircraft reached a height of 20 feet after take off and sank back to some 2 or 3 feet off the ground, and on being pulled up abruptly failed to gain sufficient height to clear the trees at the edge of the drome.”