Fonds PR-0769 - Robert H.B. Ker fonds

Robert Henry Brackman Ker was born in Victoria in 1895, the son of David Russell and Laura Agnes (Heisterman) Ker. He was educated in Victoria and in England and in 1914 became a lieutenant in the 50th Gordon Highlanders. In 1915 he went overseas with the 48th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces (C.E.F.) and was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps (R.F.C.), serving in France with 24 Squadron, R.F.C. and then late in 1917 served at Camp Borden as a squadron commander. At the end of the World War I he entered local business in Victoria, involving himself in insurance and real estate. He was also active as a director and later president of Brackman and Ker Milling Company, and served in similar capacities with various flour milling, brewery, and oil companies, including Purity Flour Mills Limited, Home Oil Company Limited, and Molson Breweries, Limited. He also served on the board of directors of the B.C. Power Corporation and B.C. Electric Company, Montreal Trust Company, and University of British Columbia. From 1923 to 1924 Ker served on Victoria City Council as alderman and involved himself in other civic activities, as president of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and as chairman of the Victoria Community Chest campaigns in 1937 and 1938. In later years he took an active interest in the affairs of the Greater Victoria Art Gallery and St. Michael’s University School.