The excellent Second War ‘Far East’ D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer R. L. Jerrard, Royal Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy, who served in H.M.S. Achilles throughout the war - a veteran of the Battle of the River Plate, when the cruiser ‘Achilles opened fire on the German ‘pocket battleship’ Admiral Graf Spee in the South Atlantic, at 6.21 am on 13 December 1939, it became the first New Zealand unit to strike a blow at the enemy in the Second World War. With the New Zealand ensign flying proudly from her mainmast - as battle loomed, a signalman had run aft with the ensign shouting ‘Make way for the Digger flag!’ - Achilles became the first New Zealand warship to take part in a naval battle.’

 

Jerrard went on to serve in operations in the Pacific, in particular as part of Operation Iceberg, the Battle of Okinawa, and as part of Task Force 37, in operations against Kure, Miko and Kobe. The Achilles remained in the task force’s operational area during the final air operations - ultimately leading to the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

 

Robert Leslie Jerrard was born in Porstmouth, Hampshire, in 1908. He was the son of Chief Petty Officer R. W. Jerrard, R.N., and followed in his father’s profession by joining the Royal Navy as a Boy in August 1924. Jerrard advanced to Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class, and entered the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (L.G. 11/6/1946): "For distinguished service during the War in the Far East while serving in H.M.N.Z.S. Achilles. And, more especially, for his persistent and cheerful leadership as senior Chief Engine Room Artificer during which time he built up in his department a spirit of teamwork and cheerful readiness to tackle and master a succession of difficult jobs."

 

Jerrard was ‘Shore Pensioned’ in December 1948, and settled in New Zealand. He died in Auckland, New Zealand in May 1980, and is buried in the Glenfield Berm Cemetery.

 

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (C.E.R.A. R. L. Jerrard. C/M. 38366); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (M.38366 R. L. Jerrard. E.R.A.2. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star, 1 clasp, Burma; War Medal 1939-45; New Zealand War Service Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (M. 38366 R. L. Jerrard, E.R.A.2, H.M.S. Achilles.)