Shrubb "The Little Wonder"  ›  Robert Kerr

Born in Enniskillen Ireland on June 1882
his parents George ( + Jan 27, 1918) and Rebecca (+ Jan 19, 1918)
Bobby attended school in Hamilton Public Schools: Wentworth, Victoria ave, Queen Victoria.
He was a Salesman for Duncan Lithographing Co.
Was enlisted in the army during WWI joined the 205th Battalion, transferred to the 164th battalion, he went overseas with them and was later absorbed in the 5th division.
Bobby married to Ida Patterson on June 7, 1922. When Kerr died in 1963 at age 81, Ivan Miller, sports director of the Hamilton Spectator, wrote, Oldtimers will remember with deep nostalgia the torch light parades that welcomed Bobby back from conquest after conquest, and they’ll miss the modesty that set apart a man who just did his best. 

Bobby Kerr, Former president of The Hamilton Olympic Club winning the 220 Yards race at the British Championships in 1908 the year he won the Olympic Championship

Bobby Kerr, first to cross the finish line in the 200-yard final at the 1908 London Olympics, was the first Canadian sprinter to win an Olympic gold medal. He gained prominence as a premier runner, winning, in 1902, the 100-, 440-, and 800-yard races at the Hamilton Coronation Games. The following year, the man destined to become the fastest human won the 100- and 200-yard events at the YMCA championships. He then spent his own savings from his company fire brigade job to go to St. Louis for the 1904 Olympics. Kerr lost in a qualifying round but, once back in Hamilton, entered meets wherever he could in Canada and in U.S. border cities. Over the next three years he set new Canadian records for the 40, 50, 60, 75, 100, 150, 220 yards and the 100 and 200 metres. In 1907 he won both the 100- and 200-yard Canadian titles and had 39 other first-place finishes. He continued his string of victories in 1908 by sweeping the sprint events at the Ontario and Canadian Games before going to London to compete in the Olympics. Being entered in two events, he had to compete six times over a period of four days in order to qualify and reach the finals. On the morning of July 22, for instance, he won the semi-final in the 200-metre semi-finals and, that afternoon, placed third for the bronze medal in the 100-metre final. The next day he captured the Gold in the 200-metre final. It was a popular win in London as British fans looked upon Bobby as representing the Empire. In Hamilton, the news of his victory set off a celebration of bell ringing, whistle blowing, and a flag raising ceremony at City Hall. When he arrived home in August, a gala parade was held in his honour and gifts were showered on the world-champion hero . He attended four Olympiads in various capacities, served as honorary secretary of the Canadian Olympic Association, and was everything from an official starter to meet director and chairman of numerous other track and field meets for years.



Athletic Achievements and award:

Olympic 200 meter winner 1908 London Eng.
Winner Irish Championship 100 and 200 Yds. 1909
Won British Championship 100 and 200 Yds.1908 and Harvey memorial Gold Cup for best performance
Canadian Champion Sprinter 1905 to 1910.
Attended 4 Olympic Games
1904 in St Louis as a competitor
1908 in London as a competitor
1928 Amsterdam as an Official
1932 Los Angeles as an official