Corporal Robert Ker

Corporal Robert Davidson Ker, 47th ( British Columbia ) Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He was killed in action in France on 13th April 1917, aged 31, and is buried in Canadian Cemetery No.2 Neuville-St. Vaast, France. He had been born in Melrose and was the son of Helen and the late Thomas Ker of Dean Bank, Newton St. Boswells. Before enlisting in June 1915 he had been employed as a clerk in Vernon, British Columbia. He fell in the famous Canadian capture of Vimy Ridge which was itself a part of the Battle of Arras which  was fought to attract German reserves from the major French ” Nivelle ” offensive  on the Aisne further South. The first photo shows the Canadians beginning their attack on Vimy Ridge.