Thomas Gerrard (aviator)
| Thomas Francis Netterville Gerrard | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Teddy" |
| Born |
13 August 1897 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor, Federated Malay States |
| Died | 14 July 1923 (aged 25) Mosul, Mandatory Iraq |
| Buried | Ma'asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery, Baghdad, Iraq |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1923 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit |
'A' Squadron/No. 1 Squadron RNAS No. 208 Squadron RAF No. 1 Squadron RAF |
| Commands held | No. 209 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Croix de guerre (France) |
Major Thomas Francis Netterville Gerrard DSC (13 August 1897 – 14 July 1923) was a British World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. He died following a post-war equestrian accident.
Gerrard was born in Malaysia, where his father Percy Netterville Gerrard (1870–1915) was a medical doctor of Anglo-Irish descent. His mother Alice Gerrard died while he was still young. By 1901 Thomas was living in his father's home city of Dublin with his grandmother, while his father married Clare Hoffman in May 1905. His father later served as a captain in the Malay States Volunteer Rifles, and was killed in action during the Singapore Mutiny. His uncle Eugene Louis Gerrard also served in the RNAS and RAF during World War I, rising to the rank of Air Commodore before retiring in 1929.
Gerrard entered the Royal Naval Air Service as a probationary flight sub-lieutenant, and was confirmed in the rank of flight sub-lieutenant on 21 November 1914. He was awarded Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 1180 at RNAS Hendon on 11 April 1915, and was stationed at RNAS Redcar, where on 4 July he ran his Caudron G.3 through a fence on landing, sustaining minor damage. He was promoted to flight lieutenant on 1 January 1916.
Gerrard first flew a FBA flying boat from the port of Dover. He was then transferred to "A" Squadron of the RNAS. While flying a Nieuport fighter aircraft, he scored his first victory on 8 July 1916.
On 5 December 1916, Gerrard was appointed acting flight commander, and this was confirmed on 31 December. After transferring to No. 1 Naval Squadron, Gerrard was assigned to fly Sopwith Triplanes; he would score eight victories with them between April and June 1917.
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