Alan Jerrard was the son of Jerrard who was headmaster of Bishop Veseys Grammar School from 1902 to 1926.

Alan was born in Lewisham in Dec 1897 and moved with his family to Sutton at the age of five. He studied at Birmingham University and joined the Royal Flying Corps from the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1916.

He was awardewd the Victoria Cross for exploits against enemy planes on the Italian front in March 1918.

He died aged 70 in May 1968 and was cremated. A headstone stands at Hillingdon churchyard and his ashes are buried with his wife at Exeter.

His Victoria Cross is at The Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon.