Alan Jerrard

Alan Jerrard
Jerrard as an officer of the South Staffordshire Regiment
Born	3 December 1897 Lewisham, London
Died	14 May 1968 (aged 70) Lyme Regis, Devon
Buried at	Exeter & Devon Crematorium Headstone at Hillingdon Churchyard
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Flying Corps  Royal Air Force
Years of service	1916-1933
Rank	Flight Lieutenant
Unit	5th South Staffordshire Regiment; No. 19 Squadron RFC; No. 66 Squadron RFC
Battles/wars	World War I Russian Civil War
Awards	Victoria Cross Bronze Medal of Military Valor (Italy)

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

He was 20 years old, and a lieutenant in No. 66 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War when he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

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.

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.

He was awarded the VC for the following deed: