Lance Corporal Robert Kerns

 

Robert Kerns was born on 3 October 1891 at 23 Lonsdale Street, Belfast, the last of seven children of saddler Patrick Kerns and his wife Mary Eliza (formerly McConnell née Minford). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at the same address with his widowed mother, two of his four surviving siblings, and a half-sister, and working as an apprentice in the linen business.

Kerns enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 28 October and 2 November 1914 (No. UD/71). He was mentioned in a report of the squadron's activities in the Belfast News-Letter of 23 June 1915:

INNISKILLING DRAGOONS IN CAMP.
Gymkana at Magilligan.

A successful gymkana in connection with the service squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons was held on Magilligan Strand, County Derry, on Saturday, before a large number of interested spectators. Captain Hulse and Squadron Sergeant-Major Waldron acted as judges. The first event was a section race (mounted) over two jumps, for which twelve sections entered. The result was:- Lance-Corporal J. Hamilton's section (No. 4 troop), 1; Lance-Corporal R. Kerns's section (No. 2 troop), 2. Time, 3 mins. 48 secs.

On 6 October 1915 Kerns embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division. The squadron war diary of 18 November noted that:

Act Lce/Corp Keys J.H. to be Lance Corpl vice No 133 L/Cpl Lockhart promoted Corpl. No.71 Pte R.Kerns to be Actg Lce/Cpl. No 121 Pte E.Percy to be Actg Lce/Corpl.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the Regiment was disbanded and its men, following training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Kerns, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Kerns was issued regimental number 41503.

In November and December 1917 the 9th (NIH) Battalion took part in the Battle of Cambrai. After seeing action in the attempt to capture the village of Moeuvres, on 4 December they were rushed back into the line south of Marcoing to help repel the German counter-attack. The battalion war diary reads as follows:

Arrived in support trenches at 5.30 am the 4th [December].

[4 December] Battn in the trenches south of Marcoing in support of 88th Brigade. Relieved Essex & Hants Batts in front line at 4.30 am.

[5 December] Battn in the line. Capt Flood killed at 9 am by shrapnel.

[6 December] Battn in the line. Two companies in front line one in Support and one in Reserve for use as Battalion counter attack company. Enemy shelling position very heavily. 5 casualties – 4 O.R's

Kerns was one of the men wounded at this time. Whether he saw any further service in France is not known at present. On 18 February 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

By 1923 Kerns was living at 23 Lonsdale Street and working as a manager for a linen business. On 28 March that year he married Mary Isabel Convery in St Mary's Church of Ireland Parish Church, Belfast.

In September 1937 he qualified for employment in the Northern Ireland civil service. He lived with his family at 4 Alliance Avenue, Belfast, and following his retirement at Windy Ridge, Rostrevor, County Down.

 

Kerns's son Patrick served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force, and was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct in 1954 (see articles below).

 

Northern Whig, 5 May 1954

 

Belfast Telegraph, 1 December 1960

 

This page last updated 18 February 2023.