Deseronto Archives

David James Kerr died of pneumonia caused by Spanish flu on this day in 1918 at Camp Mohawk near Deseronto. In civilian life he had been a teamster and he enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps on June 4th, 1917 to serve as a batman (an officer’s servant). He was given the regimental number 72258 and was described as five feet seven inches tall when he enlisted. He was promoted to 2nd Air Mechanic on August 8th, 1917.

Kerr’s death certificate states that he was born in Michigan. His date of birth is given as July 16th, 1888 on his gravestone. His parents were David Kerr and Jeanette (née Whiteside). They buried him in Prospect Cemetery, Toronto.