Ancestor Details
Ancestor's Name: James Kerton
Ancestor's date of birth: 22/08/1877
Ancestor's date of death: 09/06/1943
Cause of Death: Myocarditis and Coronary Thrombosis
Service and Life Before the Boer War: Farmer prior to enlistment
Service Number: 31640
Colony or State of enlistment: VIC, Place of Enlistment: Melbourne
Unit: 3 troop E squadron 2nd Scottish Horse
Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 15/02/1901
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of post Boer War Service.
Murray Page: 304 (Reference to the Scottish Horse only, not this soldier)
Contingent: Not applicable did not serve in an Australian unit.
Ship: Orient, Date of Sailing: 15/02/1901
Memorial details: Detail not provided.
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Transvaal and South Africa 1901 clasps.
Personal Characteristics: Large Man I believe 187 cm tall a good horseman and bushman.
Reasons to go and fight: Not specifically recorded but I do know that he joined with a good friend from his district James Yeates and this friend had failed to get into the Victorian Contingent.
Details of service in war: Only served 6 month tour and participated in a number of battles which I am still researching. The first engagement I know of specifically was at Roodekrantz - 30 April 1901. I will confirm further details as I verify them. Offered place in honour guard for King Edward's coronation in England by Marquis of Tullibardine but according to my Grandmother - he declined because he had been terribly seasick between Australia and South Africa and only wanted to sail home.
Service and life after the Boer War: Returned to home district around Bairnsdale Victoria and farmed for rest of his life. Apparently applied to join Victoria Police but controversially was medically rejected for varicose veins which he strenuously denied he had. Was a member of Scottish Pipe band in Bairnsdale after his return.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Geoffrey Neil Kerton, Strathmore VIC
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson
