Helen Harvey

Inglewood RSA president Jake Dagger says Harry Kerr represented New Zealand and Taranaki proudly and “honourably on both the field of battle and the greatest sporting stage in the world”. JONATHAN ABPLANALP / TARANAKI DAILY NEWS

New Zealand’s first Olympic medallist, Harry Kerr, a World War I veteran, was honoured in a small ceremony at Inglewood Cemetery on Tuesday.

Born in Tariki, Henry Edward Kerr (1879-1951), known as Harry, won a bronze medal for the 3500-metre walk at the London Olympic Games in 1908 in a time of 15 minutes and 43.4 seconds.

Tariki resident Barry Gladding had a distant memory of some of the Olympian’s relatives bringing his athletic singlet to school.

“I can vaguely remember it,” he said. “It was like a shearer’s singlet. And it was green.”

New Zealanders at the Games competed under the banner of Australasia and wore green and gold, but their uniforms did feature a tiny kiwi and silver fern beneath an emu and kangaroo.

Gladding was part of a small group who attended the unveiling of a new plaque on Kerr’s grave, donated by the New Zealand Remembrance Army, a nationwide volunteer network that restores graves and memorials of people who served.

Bugler Stewart Maunder and piper Blanche Traill played during the ceremony.

During World War I, Kerr embarked for England in 1917 and served with 2 Field Ambulance in France. He was wounded but remained with his unit. He returned to New Zealand at the end of the war.

Harry Kerr from Tariki, who served during World War I, is buried in Inglewood Cemetery. SUPPLIED

During Tuesday’s ceremony, Inglewood RSA president Jake Dagger told the group it was an honour to unveil a plaque which recognised the achievements of this “great New Zealander”.

“Harry represented our nation and our community proudly and honourably on both the field of battle and the greatest sporting stage in the world.”

Kerr always had exceptional sporting ability, Dagger said.

“He was a champion shooter, a representative lawn bowler, he loved rugby and was good at most track and field events. But walking particularly caught the attention of the strapping 6ft 4 inch [1.93m] Harry Kerr.”

Kerr competed professionally before seeking reinstatement as an amateur in order to be eligible for the Olympic Games.

To achieve his wish he had to stand down from all competitions for two years, which he did in 1905 and 1906.

Inglewood RSA vice-president Matt Smith, treasure and piper Blanche Traill and president Jake Dagger after the unveiling ceremony. JONATHAN ABPLANALP / TARANAKI DAILY NEWS

During that time, he maintained his fitness by clearing scrub on the family farm, Dagger said.

“Once eligible again for championship meets, he quickly stamped his class and secured Olympic selection by winning the Australasian one and three mile titles at Hobart in early 1908.”

It was reported that Kerr’s travel and accommodation requirements to and from the Games were a considerable drain on the family farm’s finances, Dagger said.

“It’s said that he almost missed the final, as in good keen Kiwi bloke style, he was having a natter to the race officials under the grandstand.”

A new plaque, recognising Kerr’s achievements, was unveiled at his grave on Tuesday. JONATHAN ABPLANALP / TARANAKI DAILY NEWS

Kerr also qualified for the final of the 10 mile race, but was unable to compete due to injured feet caused by the cinder track, a common ailment for many athletes of the time who only had grass tracks to train on, Dagger said.

“The outbreak of war and Harry’s service in World War I interrupted his sporting career.

“He returned to New Zealand at the end of the war and in 1925, he again competed in the national championships and at the age of 46, won both the one and three mile titles again.”

All up, Kerr won six national titles and was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

– Taranaki Daily News

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