Eugene Gerrard

Infobox Military Person
name= Eugene Louis Gerrard
lived= 14 July 1881–7 February 1963
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=


caption=
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allegiance=flag|United Kingdom
serviceyears= 1900 – 1 January 1929 and subsequent reserve service
rank= Air Commodore
branch= air force|United Kingdom
commands=
unit=
battles= World War I, World War II
awards=
laterwork=

Air Commodore Eugene Louis Gerrard CMG DSO RAF (14 July 1881–7 February 1963) was an officer in the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force.

Gerrard was commissioned into the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1900 and served on HMS "Hermione", HMS "Defiance", HMS Spartiate, HMS "Dido", HMS "Prince of Wales" and HMS "Vindictive".

In 1911, Gerrard was one of the first four officers chosen by the Admiralty for flying training conducted under the auspices of the Royal Aero Club. Gerrard then served as a squadron commander in the newly formed Royal Flying Corps and was posted as a flight commander to the Central Flying School. Whilst at the Central Flying School, Gerrard set two records for flying at high altitude with passengers. On the first occssion, he flew to 10,000 feet with Major Hugh Trenchard. Later, Gerrard flew to 8,400 feet with two passengers.

Following the outbreak of World War I, Gerrard took up command of No. 1 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service. One of his first acts was to attack the Dusseldorf Airship Sheds in a B.E.2a. Later in the War, Gerrard was appointed as the commander of an RNAS wing in the eastern Mediterranean where he gained the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership.

References

* [http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Gerrard.htm Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Commodore E L Gerrard]

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