Honouring a War Hero
- Admin
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
Remembering Spirit River's Chip Kerr, VC
As of May 31, a new sign along Highway 49 in Spirit River stands as a striking tribute to Private John Chipman “Chip” Kerr, a local homesteader turned war hero who earned the Victoria Cross for bravery during the First World War.
Local veteran and long-time resident of Fairview James Lawrence Sharkey, 71, initiated this important homage.
“I knew of Kerr from an old picture in our legion’s clubroom. I was intrigued because only four Albertans have been awarded the Victoria Cross,” said Sharkey.
Originally from Nova Scotia, in 1912 “Chip” and his brother Charles Roland “Rollie” Kerr travelled across Canada and eventually homesteaded near Spirit River.
According to Library and Archives Canada, “When war was declared in 1914, the Kerr brothers, Chip and Rollie, went to Edmonton to enlist, leaving a note tacked to the door of their cabin that declared: ‘War is Hell, but what is homesteading?’”
Only Chip returned—Rollie was killed in action in late December 1917.
Private Chip Kerr’s courage in France during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette in 1916 earned him the Victoria Cross, the Commonwealth’s highest military honour.
According to the blog Town Spirit, Private Chip Kerr met his wife overseas and returned to the Spirit River area where they “raised four boys and a girl, far from the perils of world struggles. Chip was a homesteader, a fire ranger, and he ran the Dunvegan Ferry.”
Kerr rejoined the military at the beginning of the Second World War. He transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force and was given the rank of Sergeant. One of Kerr’s sons served as a pilot during WWII and was killed. Kerr was stationed in BC at this time and decided to stay when the war was over.
On February 19, 1963, Private Kerr died in Port Moody, BC.
“Two of the four Albertans to receive the Victoria Cross, including Kerr, were members of the 49th Battalion—the Edmonton regiment my father served with in WWII,” said Sharkey.
With the support of the Town of Spirit River, the sign was officially installed in late May along Highway 49—fittingly, the highway is the same number as Kerr’s battalion.
“The Town Council was very supportive,” said Sharkey. “This project was about making sure the people of this area know about the incredible stories rooted in their own soil.”
Sharkey served with the Royal Canadian Navy from 1971 to 1977 in communications.
Today, he has been with Fairview’s Royal Canadian Legion for 35 years and has spent the last 10 years as their branch service officer. He is also vice president of the Edmonton Unit of the CAV (Canadian Army Veterans), a nation-wide veterans’ motorcycle group.
“I’ve made it my mission to ensure local veterans are remembered,” said Sharkey.
For Sharkey, honouring Kerr isn’t just about history—it’s about inspiring the next generation to understand, remember, and carry forward the legacy of service.
“I want people to be aware of locals who have served and those who still serve. This is one of the initiatives I use to promote that recognition of our veterans and service members,” said Sharkey.
Originally from Edmonton, Sharkey and his wife settled down in Fairview in 1978 where they had a dairy farm for eight years. They now have seven grandchildren all under 16 years old.
“I love the people up here, the openness of the country, the opportunities and the outdoors. I enjoy time with my grandchildren. Together we hunt, fish, bike—learn how to drive now—and celebrate family events together,” said Sharkey.
In 1951, a 2,600-metre mountain in Jasper National Park was named after Kerr. In 2005, a street in Edmonton’s north-end was named Kerr Road. And, in 2006, Chip Kerr Park in Port Moody was named in honour of him.
Chip Kerr is also commemorated at the Spirit River and District Museum with a collection of information and photographs.
In 1916 on September 16, Private John Kerr “…during a bombing attack, while acting as first bayonet man, he knew that bombs were running short and while the enemy were resisting vigorously—although one of his fingers had been blown off at the second joint by a German bomb—jumped out of his trench and ran along the parados a considerable distance and into close contact with the enemy, firing at point-blank range and killing and wounding many of them, whereupon, the enemy believing themselves to be cut off, desisted from the fight and surrendered and 62 prisoners were taken.
The action of this man at this juncture undoubtedly resulted in the taking of 256 yards of enemy trench, thereby making it possible for his Battalion to occupy and hold the ground gained in the general attack. Private Kerr then, with two other men escorted the prisoners across open ground, and under heavy fire, to a support trench, and returned and reported himself for duty to his Company Commander before his wound had been dressed.
The conduct of this man on several other occasions has been brought to notice and this recommendation is supported by the common consent and voice of all ranks in his company.”
(London Gazette, no.29802, 26 October 1916)
By Amanda Hunter | Photography Submitted
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