As Far as I Remember

Sir Michael Kerr was a leading member of the English bar during the post-war period who became Chairman of the Law Commission and a member of the Court of Appeal.

• 1 The beginning2 My father and his family3 My grandparents4 My mother5 My father’s work6 My parents together7 My sister8 The early years9 The twenties10 Clouds11 Flight12 Switzerland13 An interlude – “fast forward”14 To France15 Paris – the beginning16 Lycee Michelet17 The Fizaines (and others)18 Paris – the second year19 To Nice20 Our parents in London21 The end of the Lycee de Nice22 The promised land23 Aldenham24 The first year25 193726 1938–193927 The final end of Nice28 The phoney war – Cambridge29 The real war starts30 Internment31 Reactions32 The Isle of Man 33 Release 34 Another interlude – “fast forward” 35 The Blitz – back to Aldenham – the RAF36 Air Crew Cadet37 Wings38 Learning to teach flying39 Flying instructor back in Cambridge40 Twin engines41 Joining a Wellington crew42 612 Squadron43 The war in Europe ends44 Demobilisation 45 Post-war Cambridge46 194647 1947 48 Michèle49 Going to the Bar50 My mother leaves 51 My father’s death52 A postscript53 Beginnings at the Bar54 Marriage, etc55 My mother in Germany56 A painful family reunion 57 My mother’s death58 End of a generation59 The second half60 The Junior Bar61 Silk62 Some highlights63 Towards the end of the Bar64 The Bench?65 Life as a Judge66 Separation67 The Law Commission68 Diana69 The Court of Appeal70 Disappointments71 A new profession72 A resurrection

...a thoughtful description of an unusual life ...an important account of what is was like to be a refugee from persecution who found sanctuary in this country. ...contain qualities often missing from judicial autobiographies: experience and judgment. David Pannick QC, Blackstone Chambers The Times Law Section November 2002 ...he recounts his unusual life story with candour and thoughtfulness Michael Beloff Times Literary Supplement December 2002 The reader discovers in the pages of this volume a sensitive, yet tough, courageous and determined man. There is frankness in greater measure than many would have wished. I do not think it is too much to describe this book as an inspiration. His Honour Judge Dr Peter Jackson The Times Law Section December 2002