Frederick Ernest Kerswill was born in Plymouth, Devon, England on 29 April 1910 and was the son of Frederick John Kerswill (1878-1949), a shoe manufacturer. He trained as an architect at University College, London, where he was a Donaldson Medallist in 1930-31. He qualified as an architect and was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1933. He then worked as an architect in London until March 1939 when he emigrated to New Zealand. He settled in Wellington where he subsequently established an architectural practice. During World War Two he served as an officer in the Home Guard.
Kerswill's address was given as 72 Blenheim Crescent, South Croydon, Surrey [now London] in 1932 and 1938; Berkeley Hotel, Oriental Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand in 1939; 30 Grafton Road. Roseneath. Wellington, New Zealand in 1942 and 1954; and Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand in 1963 and 1981. He died in Wellington, New Zealand on 8 December 1985
His papers are held at the University of Aucklsnd