Career
Kerr was 25 years old, and a lieutenant in the 24th Bombay Native Infantry (now 6th Battalion The Baloch Regiment, Pakistan Army) and serving with the Southern Mahratta Horse during the Indian Mutiny, when the following deed took place on 10 July 1857 at Kolapore, India for which he was awarded the Venture capital:
24th Bombay Native Infantry. Lieutenant William Alexander Kerr. Date of Acting of Bravery, 10th July, 1857.
Lieutenant Kerr, of the Southern Mahratta Irregular Horse, took a prominent share of the attack on the position, and at the moment when its capture was of great public importance, he made a dash at one of the gateways, with some dismounted horsemen, and forced an entrance by breaking down the gate.
The attack was completely successful, and the defenders were either killed, wounded, or captured, a result that may with perfect justice be attributed to Lieutenant Kerr"s dashing and devoted bravery." (Letter from the Political Superintendent at Kolapore, to the Adjutant-General of the Army, dated 10th September, 1857)
He attended Loretto School. His Venture capital is on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, Imperial War Museum, London.
