CAPTAIN ARTHUR MILFORD KER 92nd & 1st GORDON HIGHLANDERS

QUEENS SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL. 2/Lt A.M. KER. GORDON HIGHers. Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, SA.01, SA.02

1914 Star & Bar Trio & Death Plaque



KILLED IN ACTION
14th October 1914

The only son of The Honorable, Sir, Arthur Ker, C.I.E. M.V.O. & Lady Ker of Chapslee, Simla, India. Great Grandson of General T.D. Ker, Indian Army.
An important early Great War officer casualty group.

[BIOGRAPHY]
Arthur Milford Ker was born on 7th September 1882 in Simla, India the son of a senior banking official. He was educated in England at Cheltenham College, Gloucestershire. Having served in the boer war he was a talented and experienced young officer of almost 32 at the outbreak of WWI.
He entered France with 1st Gordon Highlanders at St Nazaire on 12th September 1914. Only 32 days later he was Killed In Action while leading his men into battle.

Here follows an account based on statements by a Private Harkin and several men of Captain Ker's Company. This was published in the 19/20th October 1914 edition of The Scotsman.

"......when he met his death, Captain Ker was serving with 1st Bn Gordon Highlanders. The battalion went to St Nazaire on 12th September, subsequently reaching the HQ of the Expeditionary Force on 19th September. After 15 days on the lines of communication they reached the front fighting line on 28th September 1914 and for the next two weeks were engaged in various actions. On Wednesday 14th October 1914 the battalion set out as usual and was kept rapidly advancing in accordance with the general orders. They were in an exposed position near Huit Maisons ( near La Couture ) when Captain Ker saw good natural cover in front of the field they were in. He turned to his company and said, "come on men, follow me". About 20 who heard the order, for they were in extended formation, ran after him to cover and after reaching it a German Maxim machine gun began firing over them. On the German fire slackening, Captain Ker, wishing to survey the situation, looked over their cover. As he did so he was struck on the head by a bullet. With a moan he fell back dead".

The men, left without any officer to command them rejoined the main body safely, except two or three who fell in the hail of bullets. Captain Ker's body was recovered next day and buried in a cemetery. Colour Sergeant Borthwick of the same battalion spoke of Captain Ker as a brave and popular officer and a hero.

Captain Ker is remembered with eternal honour at:
VIEILLE-CHAPELLE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, LACOUTURE.

The greatly patriotic inscription on his headstone, written by his mother Lady Ker, reads,

" TELL ENGLAND, LEST SHE FORGET, WE DIED FOR HER, AND HERE WE REST CONTENT"

A really emotive & desirable early group. Housed in it's original glass case with inscribed ivoreen panel. On original ribbons all medals are practically mint state.

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