The Cherry Beret by Ashton L. Kerr [Review]

Canadian Military History

Volume 3 Issue 2 Article 27

1994

Markus C. Martin

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Recommended Citation Martin, Markus C. "The Cherry Beret by Ashton L. Kerr [Review]." Canadian Military History 3, 2 (1994)

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disease (270 Canadian soldiers although he had already been died there). There was the same accepted in a neurosurgery florid political arguments, regional residence, Dr. Kerr decided to forgo disagreements, national navel it all and joined the Canadian gazing about the wisdom of army. Soon after, he was on the PAINTING THE MAP RED Canadian participation, and a Volunteer "Q" list of 43 Royal quite strong anti-war movement. Canadian Army Medical Corps Thoroughly covering civilian officers on loan to the British, and events, Miller's main emphasis is on his way over to Europe. on the war front: the generally A hand-drawn map and over valiant combat experiences of our 25 black and white photographs troops, despite having been hastily are used to enliven and enlighten trained. Battlefield accounts us about Colonel Kerr's travels. follow individual officers and The assignments and duties took soldiers in action, including a him to North Africa and England superb description of the Royal where he trained. Afterwards, he Canadian Regiment's victory at participated in the invasions of Paardeberg. In addition to detailing Italy and Southern France and in famed conventional regiments, the liberation of Greece. His final Miller also tells of "Howard's assignment prior to retuming to Miller has done such a good job, Canadian Scouts," a colourful Canada was in Palestine, where he has made the wait all the more bunch of rough-riding irregulars. he was involved in the peace worthwhile. The photographs and numerous keeping. The South African War has maps in Carman Miller's extensively During his stay in Europe, he always been an interest of this researched book are particularly managed to come in contact with reviewer, though previously having useful in helping understand the several famous personages such had to rely largely on British course of Canadian operations as Evelyn Waugh, Ambassador sources. So it is satisfying now to during the South African war. John Winant and Daphne du be given a look at the whole story Highly recommended. Maurier. These meetings areal of the over 7,000 Canadians who ways presented with modesty and volunteered to fight in Britain's Sidney Allinson Dr. Kerr's characteristic sense of cause in southern Africa at the Victoria, B.C. understatement. He concludes turn of the century. Perhaps the this autobiographical sojoum with lack of major reference works is several brief vignettes of other why our nation's part in the war * * * * * Canloan medical officers. receives scant attention in history There are many history books class curriculums. Or, there could about World War II filled with be some squeamishness about our The Cherry Beret statistics and analyses of various country's enthusiastic role in what campaigns. This book has none has been described as Britain's Colonel Ashton L. Kerr, MD. The of that. Rather, it reminded me of last colonial war. Cherry Beret: Distant recollections a grandfather talking to his grand The Anglo-Boer conflict fore of World War II as remembered by children trying to highlight the shadowed events of only a few one of the first Canloan officers. more humane aspects of being a years later, during the 1914-1918 published privately, 125 pages. soldier. Great War. As in that much larger Indeed, this is a book with a conflict, the Boer War brought r. Kerr has written a light gentle spirit which should be read first an enormous surge of D 125 page story of how he by any and all ages. patriotism for King and Empire, became a Canloan officer to the droves of eager volunteers, British Army, and thereafter what Lt-Colonel Markus C. Martin followed by a manpower crisis happened to him during the Commanding Officer after sobering news of heavy Second World War. 51st Medical Company casualties from bullet and In 1941, on the day after finishing his internship, and

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