Private Arthur Kerss

Private Arthur Dodds  Kerss, 44th Battalion Canadian Infantry. He was killed in action near Arras in France, aged 31, on 3rd September 1918 during the ” Advance to Victory” and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France. He was the son of James Kerss of Shidlaw, Cornhill-on-Tweed and had been born in Roxburgh and had emigrated to Canada and had enlisted in Calgary, Alberta. ( The Battalion had been originally designated ” Manitoba ” but in August was re-named ” New Brunswick ” ). Before enlisting he had been a joiner. ( The day before he died 7 Canadians had won the Victoria Cross for their actions in defeating the Germans Drocourt-Queant defence lines ). The photos show the victorious Allies advancing after the retreating German Army during the final 100 days of the War.