Eugene Gerrard
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| Eugene Louis Gerrard | |
|---|---|
| 14 July 1881–7 February 1963 | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1900 – 1 January 1929 and subsequent reserve service |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Battles/wars | World War I, World War II |
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.
[edit] References
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by H C T Dowding |
Officer Commanding 1 Group 1922–1924 |
Succeeded by R Gordon |
| Preceded by Sir Henry Tudor |
Air Officer Commanding Palestine Command Commanded renamed HQ Transjordan and Palestine in 1926 1924–1927 |
Succeeded by unknown |
