Deserter from HM service

[cupoflife]

These articles gives some indication of penalties applied for desertion
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/135373149
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3105603

[cando]

Maritime Carnival at Newcastle
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article238445820

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article238441089
The Daily Telegraph, Sydney   21 Sep 1897
THE WARSHIPS.
H.M.S. Karrakatta, which went to Newcastle for the centenary celebrations, returned yesterday
afternoon, and was moored in Woolloomooloo Bay.

Cando

[cupoflife]

Is this your chap or another with the same name?
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) 
 Tue 19 Sep 1899
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/135375042
Newcastle Police Court
Desertion.
For having deserted the British-registered ship Largo Bay, James M'Corkindale and Archibald Kerr were each sentenced to 48 hours gaol.

[John Bell]

Victoria Police Gazette. Oct 6, 1897. pg 339.
DESERTERS FROM H.M. SERVICE.
Archibald McVicar Kerr deserted from HMS Karrakatta at Newcastle NSW on 20th ult.
Description:-Scotch, 16 years of age, 5 feet 1/2 inch high, brown hair, blue eyes, fresh complextion. 0.8378. 2 October 1897.

[cando]

John I attached the notice from the Vic Police Gazette which was published in the SA Police Gazette in Reply#8.

Cando

[GrahamSimons]

From my resource - South Australian Police Gazette  3 Nov 1897  Page 176.

His naval record states Karrakatta  28 May 1897 to 20 Sep 1897  Character VG  Discharge etc  R. Newcastle 20 Sep 1897.  Nothing to indicate he deserted.

If I have it right, the abbreviation R means run - that is, deserted.

[cando]

Thank you Graham.  Thought it odd that no detail was on his service record.  Learn something everyday on rootschat

Cando

[paulsplace2009]

Hi Everyone

Thanks a million for all of this..

Yes, that is my Archibald Kerr..

I assumed he deserted as the Victoria Newspaper listed him under "deserters from H.M service"

Really appreciate all this information... What a find!

Paul