30th May, 2024 9:30
Fine Art & Antiques
A large collection of medals related to the Kerr family, comprising WWI & WWII medals awarded to Captain Ralph Kerr CBE RN (1891-1941), who was in command of HMS Hood and killed at the battle of Denmark Strait, with all but three of his crew on 24th May 1941, comprising his WWI group, named to Lieut. R. Kerr RN, with George VI Coronation Medal, and miniature sets, a Palestine Medal, in box of issue with letter from the Admiralty dated 30th July 1942, a further letter from the Admiralty with Bronze Oak Leaf Emblem attached, awarded for being Mentioned in Despatches, together with his WWII medals, awarded posthumously, comprising a WWII Campaign Medal, Defence Medal, Atlantic Star and 1939-1945 Star, a Knight Batchelor Badge awarded in 1932 to Ralph Kerr's father, Sir Russell Kerr, and a WWII medal group awarded posthumously to his son, Captain Russell Kerr, of the Royal Artillery, killed in Burma in 1945 (1939-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal and War Medal). Also present are assorted sporting and military competition badges collected by Captain Kerr, a collection of photographs of his grave, and a folder containing many items of ephemera related to him.
Retained in the family by descent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Kerr
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Hood
Dawsons is proud to be taking to auction an esteemed collection of medals, featuring those awarded to Captain Ralph Kerr, who was in command of battlecruiser HMS Hood. The British battlecruiser was sunk after a ferocious and brief exchange of gunfire with German battleship Bismarck, with the loss of almost every member of its crew (including Captain Ralph Kerr) … Only 3 survived out of 1,418 souls.
Captain Ralph Kerr's legacy is indelibly linked to one of the most significant naval battles of World War II. The Battle of the Denmark Strait took place on 24th May 1941 – poignantly, almost 83 years to the day of the upcoming auction. The medals offered for sale, estimated between £3,000-£5,000, bear witness to his unwavering courage and service to the Royal Navy, his country, and his King.
Sold for £14,000
A large collection of medals related to the Kerr family, comprising WWI & WWII medals awarded to Captain Ralph Kerr CBE RN (1891-1941), who was in command of HMS Hood and killed at the battle of Denmark Strait, with all but three of his crew on 24th May 1941, comprising his WWI group, named to Lieut. R. Kerr RN, with George VI Coronation Medal, and miniature sets, a Palestine Medal, in box of issue with letter from the Admiralty dated 30th July 1942, a further letter from the Admiralty with Bronze Oak Leaf Emblem attached, awarded for being Mentioned in Despatches, together with his WWII medals, awarded posthumously, comprising a WWII Campaign Medal, Defence Medal, Atlantic Star and 1939-1945 Star, a Knight Batchelor Badge awarded in 1932 to Ralph Kerr's father, Sir Russell Kerr, and a WWII medal group awarded posthumously to his son, Captain Russell Kerr, of the Royal Artillery, killed in Burma in 1945 (1939-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal and War Medal). Also present are assorted sporting and military competition badges collected by Captain Kerr, a collection of photographs of his grave, and a folder containing many items of ephemera related to him.
Provenance
Retained in the family by descent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Kerr
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Hood
The Ralph Kerr Collection
Dawsons is proud to be taking to auction an esteemed collection of medals, featuring those awarded to Captain Ralph Kerr, who was in command of battlecruiser HMS Hood. The British battlecruiser was sunk after a ferocious and brief exchange of gunfire with German battleship Bismarck, with the loss of almost every member of its crew (including Captain Ralph Kerr) … Only 3 survived out of 1,418 souls.
Captain Ralph Kerr's legacy is indelibly linked to one of the most significant naval battles of World War II. The Battle of the Denmark Strait took place on 24th May 1941 – poignantly, almost 83 years to the day of the upcoming auction. The medals offered for sale, estimated between £3,000-£5,000, bear witness to his unwavering courage and service to the Royal Navy, his country, and his King.
