James Reid Kerr

James Reid Kerr was a Scottish sportsman who played both rugby union and cricket for his country. He was also part of the first official British & Irish Lions team that toured South Africa in 1910.

Early life

James Reid Kerr was born on 4 December 1883 in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He was the son of Robert Kerr, a Sugar Refiner. After attending Greenock Collegiate and Glasgow University he worked for his father as a Sugar Chemist.

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

Kerr played as a rugby forward for his local side, Greenock Wanderers RFC.

Provincial career

He captained the South Western District side against North of Scotland District in 1906.
He played for Glasgow District in the 1909 inter-city match against Edinburgh District.

International career

He played one game for Scotland, vs England at Richmond on 20 March 1909
The following year, he was selected for the first official British tour to South Africa.

Cricket career

Kerr also played cricket for Greenock as a right-handed batsman. In 279 matches he scored 5,262 runs at an average of 23.08, and he had a top score of 119. He went on to play for the Scotland team, making only one appearance in 1921. That was against Ireland. In that match he scored 15 runs over two innings. He was also the cousin of the famous Scottish cricketer, John Kerr.

First World War

James Reid Kerr served as a captain the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during the First World War. During the war he saw action in the Gallipoli campaign in 1915.