Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Kerr, saddler at Ballarat, joined the 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen/Australian Imperial Regiment (A.I.R.) (regimental number 278) and sailed from Port Melbourne on the "Victorian" on 1 May 1900 for South Africa.[2][3] Lance-corporal J. Kerr returned to Ballarat in July 1901.[4]

Major John Kerr, who died in the Caulfield Hospital on Tuesday night from influenza, was well-known and esteemed in military circles. He was Brigade major of the 15th Brigade (Essendon, Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds) and had seen considerable service in the Commonwealth Military Forces. Though only 39 years of age when he died he had served in South Africa, and held the King's and Queen's Medals and the Coronation Medal. He tried to enlist in the AIF on a number of occasions, but was rejected as medically unfit. He will be remembered "as a an old and enthusiastic member of the 3rd Battalion, Ballarat. The remains will be buried with full military honors at the Coburg cemetery to-day.

Source: 
John Kerr (1880-1919) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

References: 
↑ Birth: Victorian Births Deaths and Marriages Register 20186/1880
↑ https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1434488
↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9539784
↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/207502326
↑ Death: Victorian Births Deaths and Marriages Register 5859/1919
↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213876038