KERR FAMILY CHRONICLES

© Christopher Earls Brennen

CHAPTER FOUR

THE CHILDREN OF WILLIAM AND MARY KERR

The William Robert Kerr family about 1920. Back row: Robert, Herbert, George, Joseph and Samuel.
Seated: Cecil, Sarah, Mary, William Robert and Isobel. Front: Elizabeth, William, June and Mary.

Cecil William Kerr (1903-1989) was born in Lurgan, County Armagh, where his father was learning the tailoring trade from his elder brother, Thomas Kerr. Cecil was educated at the Royal School, Dungannon, and became a quantity surveyor in Dungannon. He was Churchwarden of the Moygashel Church Hall in 1957. He married Sara V.Williamson and they had three children listed below. Sara died on Sep.30, 1983, and Cecil on Dec.11, 1989; they are buried in Coolhill Cemetery, Dungannon.

  1. Elizabeth Kerr married Gilmore Nelson, a manager in the Moygashel linen factory and a banker. They had two children:
    1. Judith Nelson became a science teacher. Later she married Edmund Allen, a farmer with land near Armagh. They had two children.
    2. Roy Nelson.
  2. Frances Kerr married Herbert McQueen. Herbert worked for a synthetic fibre company in Coleraine where they lived. They had three children:
    1. Rosalind McQueen became a physiotherapist.
    2. Phyllis McQueen became a teacher. Later she married a Royal Navy man and they lived in Burton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds in England. They have children.
    3. John McQueen.
  3. William Kerr was a salesman for Avery Scales who married twice though we know nothing of his second marriage. His first marriage was to Audrey Williams (associated with a transport firm in Portadown) and they had a daughter:
    1. Denise Kerr married and lives near Carrickfergus.

George Kerr (1905-1971) was educated at the Royal School, Dungannon, and became a tailor in Castlederg and Lisburn. He finished his working life in the Moygashel linen factory. He married Minnie Williamson and had four children:

  1. June Kerr married David Vance from Killyman and went to live in St.Helens in England. They had four children, Sadie, Blanche, Mae and Harry who died of leukemia. David died about 2001.
  2. Robert Kerr, born about 1935, worked for Moy Meats and became a self-employed painter/decorator until his retirement in 2000. In 1968 he married Margaret Swann and they lived in Killyman near Dungannon. Margaret was tragically killed in a road accident on Nov.31, 1997. Robert and Margaret had three children:
    1. Isobel Kerr married John Coleman and they had two children, Caleb and Olivia Coleman.
    2. Bronwyn Kerr married Derek Kennedy and they had two children, Laura and Rachel Kennedy.
    3. Irene Kerr married Paul Rea (paul.rea7@btinternet.com) and they have one child, Amber Rea.
  3. Samuel Kerr, born about 1938, lives alone in the family home at Kinnego near Dungannon. He is unmarried.
  4. Mary Kerr married William Noble who worked for the Killyman Creamery. William died in the late 1990s. Mary and William had a daughter:
    1. Beth Noble worked in a chemist shop in Dungannon before her marriage.

Herbert Victor Kerr (1907-1979) was educated at the Royal School, Dungannon and became a tailor in Armagh. He married Emily Cardwell from Ballinakelly who bore him four children. After Herbert suffered a debilitating stroke they moved back to Dungannon. Herbert died on Jun.10, 1979, and Emily on Feb.11, 1989, at the age of 79; they are buried in Coolhill cemetery, Dungannon.

  1. Jack Kerr became a building contractor in Dungannon. He married Georgina Margaret Macdonald and they lived in Lowertown, Dungannon. They had two sons listed below. Georgina died on Aug.25, 1982, at the age of 43 and is buried in Coolhill cemetery, Dungannon. Jack was married a second time to Irene Brown.
    1. Paul Kerr.
    2. Donald Kerr.
  2. Barbara Kerr married Henry Farr, a prison officer living in Dungannon and they had two daughters:
    1. Jayne Farr married Gary ? and had a daughter Wendy.
    2. Bronwyn Farr married Alan ?.
  3. Pamela Kerr was a nurse who married a man named John ? and lived in Londonderry. Their children:
    1. Gary.
    2. Paul.
    3. Stephen.
    4. Gaynor.
    5. Jo-Ann.
  4. Pauline Kerr, Pamela's twin sister, married Thomas Rice; they live in England and had three sons.
    1. Mark Rice married Nikky and had a son, Stefan.
    2. Stephen Rice.
    3. Jeffrey Rice.

Joseph Kerr (1909-1974) was educated at the Royal School, Dungannon, and emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he made contact with his uncle James Andrew Kerr and his family. He may also have been assisted by members of the Brown family who had emigrated to Toronto. Joe owned a ladies beauty salon called the ``Bo-Peep'' located at 1346 Danforth Avenue in east Toronto. Joe lived in an apartment over the store. After his death the new owners converted the business to a shoe store. Joe fought in the Canadian Army in World War II and, at least for a time, was stationed in Holland. He was injured in the head. After the war he returned to his business in Toronto but regularly revisited Dungannon. I recall one such visit in 1960. Joe remained a bachelor until his death in Missisauga, Canada on Mar.28, 1974. His cremated remains were returned to Dungannon and interred in Coolhill Cemetary.

Elizabeth Kerr died in infancy.

Isobel Kerr was born on May 19, 1913. After elementary school she went to work in her father's tailoring shop. On Aug.6, 1937, she married Robert George Hamill (Senior) in St.Anne's Parish Church, Dungannon. Born on Feb.15, 1910, Bob became a director in the Moygashel linen factory. Early on they lived on Castle Hill, Dungannon, but later moved to the Killyman Road, Dungannon. After their retirement Isobel and Bob moved to Portstewart where they lived near Colin and Diane Brennen. Bob died on Jun.5, 1992. Isobel currently (1995) lives in Flat No.10, Agherton Grange, Mill Road, Portstewart. Bob and Isobel had four children:

  1. Robert George Hamill (Junior) was born on Castle Hill, Dungannon, on Aug.13, 1938. He is employed as a research and development manager by Moygashel Ltd. On Apr.11, 1970, George married Edna Forsythe, born Nov.2, 1947. Edna currently (1995) works in Dungannon Post Office and they live at 41 Tamnamore Road, Killyman, Dungannon. George and Edna have one daughter:
    1. Clare Elizabeth Hamill was born in Craigavon Hospital, Portadown, on Jan.11, 1980. She is presently a student at Cookstown High School.
  2. Ethelinda Joan Hamill was born on Castle Hill, Dungannon, on May 9, 1941. She became a teacher. On Aug.6, 1965, she married Ian Knox in St.Anne's Parish Church, Dungannon. Ian, who was born on Jun.25, 1937, became a teacher in Coleraine Academical Institution (a grammar school). They live at 22 Kylebeg Avenue, Coleraine. Joan and Ian have two daughters and a son:
    1. Gillian Patricia Knox was born in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, on Dec.22, 1967. She earned a business management degree from Aston University in Birmingham, England; she is presently (1995) working as a production manager for Pinkington Glass and working on her Master's degree. On Mar.16, 1991, Gillian married Alistair James Crawford in Terrace Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine. Alistair was born on Mar.17, 1967, at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. They presently live at 241 Gidlow Lane, Wigan, Lancashire, England.
    2. Jennifer Isobel Knox was born in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, on Nov.10, 1969. She earned a sports degree from Glasgow University and now teaches in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England.
    3. Terence John Knox was born in Coleraine on Apr.23, 1972. He earned a marketing degree from Aston University in Birmingham, England, and is presently (1995) working for Allied Donecq Spirits and Wines UK Ltd. in Leeds, England.
  3. Isobel Yvonne Hamill was born on Castle Hill, Dungannon, on Jan.3, 1944, and attended Dungannon High School for Girls. On Jun.19, 1968, in St.Anne's Parish Church, Dungannon, she married Samuel Norman Devlin, a chartered surveyor and real estate agent. It was Norman Devlin who introduced Doreen and I one fateful night in the streets of Portrush. Norman and Yvonne presently live at 18 Grange Road, Cookstown. They have three children:
    1. Roger Samuel Robert Devlin was born in South Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon, on May 28, 1971. He earned an accountancy degree from Edinburgh University and is presently working for Smith and Williamson, Chartered Accountants, London.
    2. Rosalind Joan Devlin was born in Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt, on Nov.25, 1974. She is studying environmental geoscience at Edinburgh University.
    3. Melanie Louise Devlin was born in Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt, on Oct.18, 1979. She is presently attending Cookstown High School.
  4. Kenneth Gordon Hamill was born on Castle Hill, Dungannon, on Oct.7, 1947, and had several business enterprises in Dungannon including a bakery. On Jul.28, 1973, he married Florence Margaret Magee in Lurgan Registry Office. Florence was born on Aug.1, 1953, in Portadown. They lived at 68 Mullaghmore Road, Dungannon. On Feb.3, 1992, Gordon, as he was known, was murdered by the Irish Republican Army. Apparently a masked gunman followed him while he was delivering bread to the Cost Cutters Store in New Well Road, Dungannon, about 8.30am that morning. Gordon died in a hail of bullets from the gunman's automatic rifle. He was buried in Coolhill cemetery, Dungannon. Florence now lives at 16 Aloha View, Cunningham's Lane, Dungannon. Gordon and Florence had four children:
    1. William Robert John Hamill was born in Craigavon Hospital on Jun.1, 1975. He is currently studying at Bradford University, England.
    2. Rachel Jayne Hamill was born in Craigavon Hospital on Jul.27, 1977. She currently attends Dungannon Royal School.
    3. Caroline Victoria Hamill was born in South Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon, on Jan.5, 1985. She currently attends Dungannon Primary School.
    4. Andrew Gordon Hamill was born in South Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon, on Jun.4, 1986. He currently attends Dungannon Primary School.

Robert Elliot Kerr (1914-1982) was educated at the Royal School, Dungannon. He became a tailor in his father's business in George's Street, Dungannon. After his father's death he took over the business in partnership with his brother, Samuel Edward Kerr. Robert married Wilhemina Ferguson (known as ``Curly'') and they had two children. Robert died on Jan.22, 1982, and is buried in Coolhill Cemetary, Dungannon.

  1. Olive Kerr went through Union Place School, the Dungannon High School for Girls and Queens University, Belfast with Doreen, graduating in the same year with a General Arts degree. She married George Lennox, a sanitary inspector from Cookstown. They live at 150 Morgan's Hill Road, Cookstown and have four children. Olive now teaches English in Dungannon Technical School.
    1. Gwendolynne Elizabeth Lennox, known as Wendy, was born on Jul.9, 1962. On Nov.2, 1987, she married Ashley Reid in Australia. They now live in Northland Village, Dungannon, and run their own business, ``Enhance Interiors'', manufacturing and fitting wardrobes with sliding, mirrored doors. Wendy and Ashley have two children:
      1. Andrew Robert George Reid was born Aug.30, 1990.
      2. Emma Kerr Reid was born Aug.12, 1994.
    2. Jonathan Kerr Lennox was born Mar.8, 1967. He became a Registered Mental Nurse (R.M.N.) and works in Holywell Hospital, Antrim. He lives in Randalstown and is unmarried.
    3. Gertrude Heather Lennox, known as Trudi, was born Jan.12, 1969. In 1990, she graduated from Queens University, Belfast, with a joint honours degree in English and Philosophy. She worked as a journalist and completed her postgraduate Certificate in Education in June, 1995. She currently (1996) teaches at the Duke of Westminster School in County Fermanagh. On Apr.4, 1991, Trudi married John McClaughry, a farmer and member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. They live on a farm near Kesh, County Fermanagh. Trudi and John have two children:
      1. John George Oliver McClaughry was born Jan.26, 1993.
      2. Rebecca Mary Denise McClaughry was born Aug.9, 1995.
    4. Christopher David Victor Lennox was born on Dec.20, 1976, and is presently (1996) studying history at the University of Ulster in Coleraine.
  2. David William Charles Kerr was born Feb.17, 1947. He became a motor mechanic and works on bodywork at J. White's Garages, Armagh. On Oct.22, 1976, David married Sarah Stewart in St. Anne's Parish Church, Dungannon. Sarah is a practice nurse for Dr. Garvin in Coalisland. David and Sarah live at 13 Tullanisken Heights, Newmills. They have two children:
    1. Lynn Carol Kerr was born Sep.6, 1978, and attends Cookstown High School (1996).
    2. Neal David Stewart Kerr was born Apr.3, 1982, and attends Cookstown High School (1996).

Mary Kerr, the youngest child married Clarence Hastings Irons. They lived in Canterbury, England and had seven children. Clarence died on Mar.22, 1971, at the age of 48; he is buried in Coolhill cemetery, Dungannon, alongside his father Joseph Graham Irons.

  1. Bronwyn Irons married Barry Morgan and they had two children. They were divorced and Bronwyn remarried.
  2. Geraldine Irons works for a dog breeder in the south of Ireland.
  3. Marilyn Irons.
  4. Martyn Irons.
  5. Melanie Irons.
  6. Rosalind Irons.
  7. Joanne Irons.

Samuel and Sadie Kerr at
their marriage in 1940.
Samuel Edward Kerr, the second youngest child, was born in George's Street, Dungannon, County Tyrone on August 31, 1918. He worked in the family business until May 1, 1940. He met Sarah (Sadie) MacDonald at a dance in Coalisland in September of 1938. Shortly after the outbreak of World War II he joined the Royal Army Service Corps and left for Mansfield, England on May 1, 1940. Sadie and he were married during one of his leaves, on that occasion from Burford near Oxford, England. They were married on July 26, 1940 in the Brackaville Parish Church in Coalisland. He left for England within a week; another week-long
Samuel and Sadie Kerr with their
daughter Doreen in 1946.
leave occurred in October, 1940. Their first child, Margaret Elizabeth, was born on Dec.8, 1940. Born with a deficient heart, Margaret died on Jan.2, 1941 and was buried in the Brackaville churchyard. After a period of mourning Sadie got a job looking after a boy, Charles Jury, while Sam returned on leave about every 3 months. He came home on leave from Motherwell in Scotland on Dec.8, 1942 for 10 days hoping that their second child would be born during that time. Unfortunately he had to leave at 5.45pm on Dec.18, 1942 before the baby was born. Katharine Doreen Kerr was born at 12.45pm on Dec.19, 1942. Every attempt was made to contact Sam to tell him the good news but to no avail. The next word was that the ship carrying Sam to the North African theater had been torpedoed in the Mediteranean. The ship limped into a deserted bay of the North African coast where it had to hide for several weeks. Sam recalled with horror the stench and the bodies floating out of the
Doreen, Sam, Christine, Sadie,
and Jaqui outside Georges Street.
hole in the hull from that compartment which had been sealed to prevent the ship from sinking but thereby trapping a large number of men. Sam eventually learnt of Doreen's birth through a letter from his brother Robert. At home another brother Joseph, on leave from the Canadian Army became Doreen's godfather. Sam fought in North Africa, up through Italy and into Austria. He was hospitalized with rheumatic fever in Klagenfurt, Austria remaining there after the war was over. He also received a commendation for bravery which reads:
``By the King's order the name of Serjeant (acting) S.E.Kerr, Royal Army Service Corps, was published in the London Gazette on 23 May, 1946 as mentioned in a dispatch for distinguished service.''
Sam is included on the Roll of Honour engraved on the 1939-1945 War Memorial tablet on the oak table in the main porch of the Church of St. Anne, Dungannon.

At home Sadie managed to find a cottage for them to live in: the Green Cottage on the estate of Lord Charlemont at Drumcairne near Stewartstown. When Sam returned in 1946 he met his daughter, Doreen, for the first time and they lived in this cottage. He returned to work in his father's tailor shop in Dungannon. A second daughter, Elizabeth Jacqueline MacDonald Kerr was born on May 5, 1947 and just before Christmas of that year they moved to Fairmount Park in Dungannon. A third daughter, Christine Flora Louise Kerr was born in Dungannon on June 24, 1957. In 1961 the family moved to 15 Park Road, Dungannon. All three daughters went to the Dungannon High School for girls and went on to be married and have children. Sam suffered several heart attacks and died from one on Sep.22, 1981. He was buried in Coolhill cemetary just outside Dungannon on Sept.25, 1981.

Last updated 9/9/99.

Christopher E. Brennen