John Kerr (Royal Navy officer)

Summary

Admiral Sir John Beverley Kerr, GCB, DL (27 October 1937 – 2 December 2019) was a senior officer in the Royal Navy.

Sir John Kerr
Born(1937-10-27)27 October 1937
Sale, Cheshire, England
Died2 December 2019(2019-12-02) (aged 82)
Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Navy
Years of service1954–1994
RankAdmiral
Commands heldNaval Home Command
Chief of Defence Intelligence
HMS Illustrious
HMS Birmingham
HMS Achilles
AwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

Career edit

During his naval career Kerr commanded a frigate, a guided missile destroyer, and the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.[1] In 1986 he was appointed Flag Officer First Flotilla. He was appointed Chief of Defence Intelligence in 1988.[2] Kerr's naval career culminated in his appointment as Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and member of the Admiralty Board in 1991.[3] Kerr retired from the navy in May 1994.[4]

In retirement Kerr became involved in the governance of Higher Education. He served on the Council and Court of the Victoria University of Manchester since 1998 and the Court of UMIST since 2000.[3] He was part of the small group that oversaw the merger of UMIST and the Victoria University, including chairing the committee that drafted the charter of the new University of Manchester and became the Pro-Chancellor from its inauguration in 2004.[5]

In 1998 Kerr became vice-chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.[1] He was also a commissioner of the Museums and Galleries. He also served as a member of the national Independent Review of Higher Education Pay and Conditions in 1999.

Kerr died on 2 December 2019 at the age of 82.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Second World War Experience Centre archived webpage
  2. ^ Sir Richard Scott (1996). Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons Dated 15th February 1996 for the Report of the Inquiry Into the Export of Defence Equipment and Dual-use Goods to Iraq and Related Prosecutions. Vol. 1–5. The Stationery Office. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-10-262796-1.
  3. ^ a b Senior officers University of Manchester
  4. ^ "No. 53690". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 June 1994. p. 8293.
  5. ^ KERR, Adm. Sir John (Beverley) Who's Who, A & C Black, 2007
  6. ^ Kerr
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Defence Intelligence
1988–1991
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command
1991–1993
Succeeded by