Eugene Gerrard
Eugene Louis Gerrard | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 July 1881 |
| Died | 7 February 1963 (aged 81) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | First World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order Commander of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) |
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 (1902) and HMS Vindictive
.
In 1911, Gerrard was one of the first four officers chosen by the
Hugh Trenchard
. Later, Gerrard flew to 8,400 feet with two passengers.
Following the outbreak of the
First World War, Gerrard took up command of No. 1 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service. One of his first acts was to attack the Düsseldorf 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.