Vale Emeritus Professor Alex Kerr

Foundation Professor of Economics and former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University, Professor Kerr passed away on 30 December 2018, at the age of 97.

(The following details of Alex Kerr's wartime service and academic life before coming to Murdoch University are taken from an article in The West Australian newspaper)

Alex Kerr led a full and distinguished life that was very nearly snatched from him at a tender age.

He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in April 1940 in the first course of pilots in the Empire Air Training Scheme. After undertaking training in Australia and Canada he arrived in the United Kingdom in December that year. In April 1941, he was posted as a pilot to No. 115 Squadron RAF, flying Wellington Bombers. In May 1941, on his fourth operation, Alex was shot down over Hamburg.

Badly wounded and unable to get out of the escape hatch, his life was saved by his rear gunner, who pushed him from the burning aircraft. Alex managed to open his parachute before losing consciousness. He came to when he hit the ground, injuring his knees, neck and back. Picked up by a German soldier, Alex briefly saw two of his crew before being taken to a POW hospital for life saving surgery by a French surgeon who was himself a POW. 

During the next four years as a prisoner of war, Alex studied and passed exams for a Certificate in Social Studies (Oxford University) and a Bachelor of Science in Economics (London University). He was also active in camp activities, including singing as a member of a vocal trio in the camp jazz band. Alex spent his 21st birthday in a POW camp, where a Canadian prisoner named Calvert gave him an egg for his birthday, a rare treat.

During his time as a prisoner, Alex was involved in three escape attempts, one of which included the construction of a ‘record breaking’ tunnel. He succeeded on his third attempt.

After his escape Alex returned to the United Kingdom, before embarking for Australia in August 1945, where he settled in Sydney. Returning to civilian life, Alex married and had five children. He pursued an academic career, ultimately arriving at a young Murdoch University. He was a member of the RSL and a proud member of the ‘Caterpillar Club’ - his life having been saved by a parachute.

Professor Kerr was Murdoch’s Foundation Professor of Economics and, when Professor Arthur Beacham retired from the DVC position at the end of 1979, became DVC on a half-time basis. After Mr Ray Campbell’s resignation as Business Manager in 1981, Alex became full-time DVC, a position he held until his retirement at the end of 1983 when he was succeeded by Professor Mal Nairn. Professor Kerr's academic contributions were instrumental to the early development of Murdoch University. Following his retirement, he was a very active member of Banksia and once again integral to its development.