Misplaced Pages

Alan Jerrard: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 05:44, 4 March 2009 editOhconfucius (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers328,947 edits reworked, copyed← Previous edit Latest revision as of 14:41, 21 November 2024 edit undoSmasongarrison (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers727,132 edits Removing from Category:Burials in England oclocation using Cat-a-lot 
(73 intermediate revisions by 42 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|English aviator and recipient of the Victoria Cross}}
⚫ {{Infobox Military Person
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
⚫ {{Infobox military person
|name= Alan Jerrard |name= Alan Jerrard
|image=] |image= Alan Jerrard VC IWM Q 68087.jpg
|image_size=
|caption= Jerrard's grave
|alt=
⚫ |lived={{Death date and age|df=yes|1968|05|14|1897|12|03}}
|caption= Jerrard as an officer of the South Staffordshire Regiment
⚫ |placeofbirth= ], London
⚫ |nickname=
⚫ |placeofdeath=], ]
|birth_date= {{birth date|1897|12|03|df=yes}}
⚫ |placeofburial=Exeter & Devon Crematorium<br>Headstone at ] Churchyard
⚫ |birth_place= ], London
|placeofburial_label=
⚫ |death_date= {{death date and age|1968|05|14|1897|12|03|df=yes}}
⚫ |nickname=
⚫ |death_place= ], ]
⚫ |allegiance={{UK}}
⚫ |placeofburial= Exeter & Devon Crematorium<br/>Headstone at ] Churchyard
⚫ |branch= ],<br>]
⚫ |allegiance= United Kingdom
⚫ |serviceyears=
⚫ |branch= ]<br/>]
⚫ |rank=]
⚫ |serviceyears= 1916–1933
⚫ |rank= ]
|unit= ];<br />];<br />] |unit= ];<br />];<br />]
|commands= |commands=
|battles= ] |battles= ]<br/>]
|awards= ]<br/>]<br/>] (Italy)<br/>] (Russia)
|awards= ]
|relations= |relations=
|laterwork= |laterwork=
}} }}
] '''Alan Jerrard''' ] (3 December 1897 &ndash; 14 May 1968) was an English recipient of the ], the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy awarded to British and ] forces. '''Alan Jerrard''', ] (3 December 1897 – 14 May 1968) was an English aviator and a recipient of the ], the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and ] forces.


He was 34 years old, and a ] in ] of the ] during the ] when he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. An officer of the ] he was 20 years old when, attached as a ] in ] of the ] during the First World War, he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.


==Background== ==Early life==
Jerrard was born in ] and moved in 1902 with his family to ] where his father was for 24 years headmaster of ]. Jerrard was born in ] in 1897 and moved in 1902 with his family to ] where his father was headmaster of ] for 24 years . Later Jerrard attended ] in ] and ].


==Involvement in World War 1== ==First World War==
Jerrard volunteered for the ] and served with the ] before transferring to the ] in 1915 where he trained as a fighter pilot.<ref>Shores, C., Franks, N., Guest, R. ''Above the Trenches''. Grub Street, 1990. p.212 ISBN 0-94881-719-4 Jerrard volunteered for the ] and served with the ] before transferring to the ] in 1916, where he trained as a fighter pilot.<ref>Shores, C., Franks, N., Guest, R. ''Above the Trenches''. Grub Street, 1990. p. 212 {{ISBN|0-948817-19-4}}</ref>
</ref>


From mid-1917, he served in ] in France, but he was injured in an air crash on 5 August 1917, flying a ]. From 22 February 1918, he served in ] in Italy, as a ], flying ]s. Between 27 February and 21 March he scored four aerial victories, including one balloon. From mid-1917, he served in ] in France, but he was injured in an air crash on 5 August 1917, flying a ]. From 22 February 1918, he served in ] in Italy, as a ], flying ]s. Between 27 February and 21 March he scored four aerial victories, including one balloon.


==Military decoration== ===Victoria Cross===
He was awarded the VC for the following deed: Jerrard was awarded the VC for the following deed:


On 30 March 1918, near ], Italy, Lieutenant Jerrard, with two other officers, ] and ], on offensive patrol, shot down one of five enemy aircraft. Then flying at 50 ft. he attacked an aerodrome with some 19 machines either landing or attempting to take off. After destroying one of these he was attacked by more enemy aircraft but, seeing a brother-officer in difficulties, went to assist him, destroying a third enemy machine, then continued his attacks, only retreating, with five machines in pursuit, on the orders of the patrol leader. Even then, he repeatedly turned to beat off the enemy until finally forced down. On 30 March 1918 near ], Italy, Lieutenant Jerrard, with two other officers, ] and ], on offensive patrol, shot down one of five enemy aircraft. Then flying at 50&nbsp;ft. he attacked an aerodrome with some 19 machines either landing or attempting to take off. After destroying one of these he was attacked by more enemy aircraft but, seeing a brother-officer in difficulties, went to assist him, destroying a third enemy machine, then continued his attacks, only retreating, with five machines in pursuit, on the orders of the patrol leader. Even then, he repeatedly turned to beat off the enemy until finally forced down.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30663 |date=30 April 1918 |page=5287}}</ref>


After the war, it was however revealed, that the British opponents were only four Austrian ] (Oef) fighters, one of which was damaged and had to land, while the pilot of the other one was injured by a ball. Jerrard was shot down by the ace ] from Flik 51/J, and became a prisoner of war. Jerrard himself did not claim to destroy any planes in that skirmish, only he claimed to shoot up one. He was the only Camel pilot to be awarded VC<ref>Norman Frank: ''Sopwith Camel aces of World War I'', Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 52, Oxford 2003, ISBN 1-84176-534-1, p. 87</ref> After the war records revealed that the Camel's opponents were four Austrian ] (Oef) fighters, one of which was damaged and had to land, while another pilot was injured by a bullet. Jerrard was shot down by the ace ] from Flik 51/J, and became a prisoner of war. Although the RFC credited Jerrard with 3 claims on this date, Jerrard himself did not claim to destroy any planes in that skirmish, only that he claimed to shoot one up. He was the only Camel pilot to be awarded a VC.<ref>Norman Frank: ''Sopwith Camel aces of World War I'', Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 52, Oxford 2003, {{ISBN|1-84176-534-1}}, p. 87</ref>


Jerrard remained a prisoner until the end of 1918, when he managed to escape and reach Allied lines. He later served in Russia in 1919 and achieved the rank of ].
He later achieved the rank of ].


]
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the ] ''(Hendon, England)''.
Jerrard's VC and other medals are displayed on rotation in the ].


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}
*] (David Harvey, 1999)
*] (This England, 1997)
*] (P G Cooksley, 1999)
*


==External links== ==External links==
* ''(Middlesex)'' * ''(Middlesex)''
* *
*

{{Persondata
|NAME = Jerrard, Alan
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
⚫ |SHORT DESCRIPTION = British World War I Victoria Cross recipient
|DATE OF BIRTH = 12 December 1897
|PLACE OF BIRTH = ], England
|DATE OF DEATH = 14 May 1968
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Jerrard, Alan}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Jerrard, Alan}}
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
⚫ ]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 14:41, 21 November 2024

English aviator and recipient of the Victoria Cross

Alan Jerrard
Jerrard as an officer of the South Staffordshire Regiment
Born(1897-12-03)3 December 1897
Lewisham, London
Died14 May 1968(1968-05-14) (aged 70)
Lyme Regis, Devon
BuriedExeter & Devon Crematorium
Headstone at Hillingdon Churchyard
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Royal Air Force
Years of service1916–1933
RankFlight Lieutenant
Unit5th South Staffordshire Regiment;
No. 19 Squadron RFC;
No. 66 Squadron RFC
Battles / warsFirst World War
Russian Civil War
AwardsVictoria Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
Bronze Medal of Military Valour (Italy)
Order of Saint Anna, 3rd Class (Russia)

Alan Jerrard, VC (3 December 1897 – 14 May 1968) was an English aviator and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

An officer of the South Staffordshire Regiment he was 20 years old when, attached as a lieutenant in No. 66 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War, he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Early life

Jerrard was born in Lewisham in 1897 and moved in 1902 with his family to Sutton Coldfield where his father was headmaster of Bishop Vesey's Grammar School for 24 years . Later Jerrard attended Oundle School in Northamptonshire and Birmingham University.

First World War

Jerrard volunteered for the British Army and served with the 5th South Staffordshire Regiment before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, where he trained as a fighter pilot.

From mid-1917, he served in No. 19 Squadron RFC in France, but he was injured in an air crash on 5 August 1917, flying a SPAD VII. From 22 February 1918, he served in No. 66 Squadron RFC in Italy, as a lieutenant, flying Sopwith Camels. Between 27 February and 21 March he scored four aerial victories, including one balloon.

Victoria Cross

Jerrard was awarded the VC for the following deed:

On 30 March 1918 near Mansuè, Italy, Lieutenant Jerrard, with two other officers, Peter Carpenter and Harold Ross Eycott-Martin, on offensive patrol, shot down one of five enemy aircraft. Then flying at 50 ft. he attacked an aerodrome with some 19 machines either landing or attempting to take off. After destroying one of these he was attacked by more enemy aircraft but, seeing a brother-officer in difficulties, went to assist him, destroying a third enemy machine, then continued his attacks, only retreating, with five machines in pursuit, on the orders of the patrol leader. Even then, he repeatedly turned to beat off the enemy until finally forced down.

After the war records revealed that the Camel's opponents were four Austrian Albatros D.III (Oef) fighters, one of which was damaged and had to land, while another pilot was injured by a bullet. Jerrard was shot down by the ace Benno Fiala von Fernbrugg from Flik 51/J, and became a prisoner of war. Although the RFC credited Jerrard with 3 claims on this date, Jerrard himself did not claim to destroy any planes in that skirmish, only that he claimed to shoot one up. He was the only Camel pilot to be awarded a VC.

Jerrard remained a prisoner until the end of 1918, when he managed to escape and reach Allied lines. He later served in Russia in 1919 and achieved the rank of flight lieutenant.

Gravestone of Jerrard's wife and Jerrard's ashes

Jerrard's VC and other medals are displayed on rotation in the Imperial War Museum.

References

  1. Shores, C., Franks, N., Guest, R. Above the Trenches. Grub Street, 1990. p. 212 ISBN 0-948817-19-4
  2. "No. 30663". The London Gazette. 30 April 1918. p. 5287.
  3. Norman Frank: Sopwith Camel aces of World War I, Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 52, Oxford 2003, ISBN 1-84176-534-1, p. 87

External links

Categories: