Alan Jerrard

He turned back into battle to save a fellow pilot in danger.

Alan Jerrard volunteered for the Army in 1915 after entering Birmingham University. Commissioned into the South Staffordshire Regiment, he trained as a pilot and joined the Royal Flying Corps. A crash in France interrupted his early flying service, but in February 1918 he joined No. 66 Squadron in Italy, flying Sopwith Camels.

On 30 March 1918, near Mansuè, Jerrard flew an offensive patrol with two other pilots. During combat over an enemy aerodrome, he returned to help a fellow pilot in difficulty and continued attacking despite being heavily outnumbered. He was eventually forced down and captured. The Victoria Cross citation records the contemporary account of his actions.

Official Victoria Cross citation

When on an offensive patrol with two other officers he attacked five enemy aeroplanes and shot one down in flames, following it down to within one hundred feet of the ground. He then attacked an enemy aerodrome from a height of only fifty feet from the ground, and, engaging single-handed some nineteen machines, which were either landing or attempting to take off, succeeded in destroying one of them, which crashed on the aerodrome. A large number of machines then attacked him, and whilst thus fully occupied he observed that one of the pilots of his patrol was in difficulties. He went immediately to his assistance, regardless of his own personal safety, and destroyed a third enemy machine. Fresh enemy aeroplanes continued to rise from the aerodrome, which he attacked one after another, and only retreated, still engaged with five enemy machines, when ordered to do so by his patrol leader. Although apparently wounded, this very gallant officer turned repeatedly, and attacked single-handed the pursuing machines, until he was eventually overwhelmed by numbers and driven to the ground. Lt. Jerrard had greatly distinguished himself on four previous occasions, within a period of twenty-three days, in destroying enemy machines, displaying bravery and ability of the very highest order.

The London Gazette, 1 May 1918, issue 30663, page 5287.

Repatriated in December 1918, Jerrard received his Victoria Cross from King George V on 5 April 1919. He continued in the Royal Air Force, including service in northern Russia, and retired as a flight lieutenant in 1933 because of ill health. He died at Lyme Regis on 14 May 1968. Following cremation, his ashes were interred in the family grave at Uxbridge and Hillingdon Cemetery.