Honoria Somerville Keer was born on 26th December 1883 in Toronto, daughter of Eliza Somerville and Jonathan Keer. She attended the University of Glasgow , Scotland, where she graduated MB ChB in 1910 . Initially, she practised medicine in Hamilton, but on the outbreak of war, volunteered for service under the Scottish Women's Hospital. From May 1915 to February 1918, she acted as assistant Medical Officer in the Girton and Newnham unit of the hospitals, first in France, then in Salonica, and in April 1918, was appointed chief Medical Officer of the unit in Corsica for the medical care of Serbian refugees, where she gave valuable service. During her time in Europe, Dr Keer was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Medailles des Epidemies by the French Government. From the King of the Serbs she received the Order of St. Sava.
Following her sterling work in the First World War, and having first taken the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in London, Dr Keer was accepted for government service as Lady Medical Officer in Nigeria. She was posted to the African Hospital Lagos and worked at the Massey Street Dispensary until 1931. Sadly, her medical career was curtailed by illness and debilitating deafness. She retired in 1934 on health grounds. Dr Keer died on 20 March 1969 .
From the guide to the Papers of Dr Honoria Somerville Keer, 1883-1969, medical graduate, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1842-1968, (Glasgow University Archives Services)
