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W. "Bill" KERR 1932–2000

Bill Kerr (A13) hands over to Charlie Dabbs at the end of the ninth stage of the 1965 National London to Brighton Relay.

Bill Kerr died on the 15th December 2000 aged 68 years.

He was born in the Springburn area of Glasgow where his father was a Shipwright.  In his early years he did very well at school where he was known as a ‘bit of a whiz kid ’ for his general knowledge.  Following his school years he became an apprentice on the railway, but this career was cut short following an accident when the wheel of a steam engine dropped onto his hand, leaving him with the loss of mobility in some of his fingers for the rest of his life.

In Scotland Bill ran for Victoria Park A.A.C, and later on the Anglo Scottish Athletic Club.

However, seeking pastures new, it was in the early 1960s that Bill came south and burst upon the Belgrave scene, going on to carve himself a lifelong niche in the hearts of many of his team mates and training partners of that time.

He was a great acquisition to the Club when we badly needed one.

It is most significant that since hearing of his untimely death, the underlying memory that many of his contemporaries recall was that he was such a likeable, indeed loveable fellow. One who will always be remembered for his singular sense of humour and that mischievous look in his eyes when he related a story.

Perhaps Bill’s style and character, as well as his athletic ability, can best be illustrated by recalling the following anecdotes relayed by Clive Shippen on hearing the sad news. 

"  I well remember going to Belgrave Hall in March 1961 for the “five and three-quarters” road trial – a big race in those days as, generally, the first 12 were selected to carry our colours in the prestigious London to Brighton Relay which was sponsored by the News of the World.

An unfamiliar face was amongst the usual crowd of nervous runners.  He had been brought along by Charlie Walker and was introduced to me as Bill Kerr, a Scotsman.  Straight away he struck me as being an affable fellow with a sense of humour already apparent, and he was given permission to compete as a guest.

He was a relaxed runner with a long loping stride and he floated along just behind the leaders for most of the race.  When he was sure of his way to the finish he eased ahead for a very surprising win.  As you can imagine, he had a membership form in his hand before he had barely recovered his breath!

Bill was selected for the long stage 9 of the National April 1961 race.  He was not familiar with the race logistics so when the Stage 9 coach dropped off it's 20 competitors and then drove straight on to the end of the stage Bill realised that his nice new Belgrave vest, complete with attached numbers, had gone with it!

I well remember a very agitated Jimmy Green (Editor of Athletics Weekly) running up to me saying ‘There's an unknown runner up ahead running in an un-numbered white vest. He took over from Jack Brown so he must be one of your's.  Who the hell is he?  I can't recognise him.  You realise he is likely to get you disqualified’.  My heart sank.  Somehow we managed to get ahead of the race and notify the judges of Bill's name and number.  We were not penalised, and it was an auspicious start for Bill's career with Belgrave.

Bill's best London to Brighton run was in the National event of April 1962 when he recorded 6th fastest time on the long stage 9 with only Kilby, Bullivant, Craig, Freary and Tulloh (all internationals) being faster.  What is more he achieved that back in 14th place – one of our bad years.

Bill was very easy going. Nothing rattled him.  Perhaps he was too easy going. His sense of humour endeared him to all. On training runs he had a habit of plucking leaves from trees and singing little ditties; alright on training runs, but very occasionally he would do so in races – very disconcerting to the other competitors!

His laid-back, easy going manner did sometimes produce anxiety in team managers.  The team for the South of Thames Senior at Maidenhead in 1962 met at Paddington Station.  With just 15 minutes to go before departure Bill ambled up saying, ‘I'm starving, I must get something to eat’.  No sign of nerves there!  I suggested that he grab a sandwich to eat on the train. With 4minutes to departure he had still not arrived at the carriage so I rushed to the station buffet fearing there must have been a mishap of some sort. Bill was casually cleaning up a plate of pie and chips!  He looked up at me with that mischievous smile and said ‘What's the fuss?’  ”

Bill gained a AAA vest in 1962 and went on to become a Middlesex track champion.

Professionally Bill worked, in turn, for the Civil Service; the Anglo Iranian Oil Company as a Project Clerk ,and in latter years as a Processing Clerk for BT.  Among his interests can be listed cooking, gardening a love of the music of Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra and, when away from athletics, hockey.

In 1963 Bill ran in the Scottish National cross country championships and gained his International Vest by finishing 6th.  However after the race was over he heard one of his friends bemoaning his fate at having ‘missed out again’ by finishing 7th.  Whereupon Bill calmly said, “that’s OK you can have my place, ” and gave up his Vest in favour of his friend.

Such was the character of the man we will affectionately remember as Bill Kerr

Gordon Biscoe

Bill Kerr’s best track performances

1961 – 1m 4:12.8; 3km 8:21.4; 2m 8:55.0; 3m 14:04.2.

1962 – 1m 4:11.8; 2m 9:07.6; 6m 29:19.4.

1963 – 1m 4:11.6; 3km 8:05.4; 2m 8:44.6; 3m 13:46.8; 6m 29:14.2.

1964 – 2m 9:01.6. 3m 13:59.2.

1965 – 1m 4:12.8; 2m 8:53.6; 3m 13:56.8.

1966 – 2m 9:17.0; 5km 14:50.0.

1967 – 1m 4:23.8; 2m 9:03.4; 3m 14:25.8.

1968 – 1m 4:14.6; 2m 9:01.6; 3m 13:55.8; 6m 31:20.