Jerram, Sir Rowland Christopher, Rear-Admiral, 1890-1981.

The papers include journals, 1907-1914 and 2 large scrapbooks containing photographs, signals, orders and newspaper cuttings covering the first half of Jerram's career. Also present in the collection are 3 photograph albums, 1908-1932, and various letters, reports, newspaper cuttings, etc, relating to the major part of the Rear-Admiral's career, as well his civilian activities, such as his position as Commander of the St. John Ambulance in Cornwall, 1949-1958.

Administrative / biographical background
Jerram joined the Navy in 1907 and was transported at once to join HMS KING ALFRED at the China Station. He was promoted to clerk, then joined HMS INVINCIBLE as part of the Home Fleet in 1910. In 1911, he was promoted to assistant paymaster and joined HMS NEPTUNE, later making paymaster lieutenant in 1913. During the First World War, Jerram served aboard HMS IRON DUKE with the Grand Fleet, before joining HMS LION and taking part in the Battle of Dogger Bank in 1915. In 1917 he joined HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, which took part in the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in November 1918. After the war, he was appointed secretary to Admiral Sir Ernie Chatfield, (later Lord Chatfield), 4th Sea Lord. Jerram remained in this role until 1940, during which time Chatfield had been appointed 3rd Sea Lord, C-in-C Home Fleet, C-in-C Mediterranean Fleet, 1st Sea Lord, Chairman of the Commission on the Defence of India and Minister for Co-ordination of Defences. Meanwhile, Jerram was promoted to paymaster lieutenant-commander in 1921, paymaster commander in 1929 and paymaster captain in 1938. From 1942 to 1943, he served on HMS CLEOPATRA, which took part in the raising of the siege of Malta in 1942. In 1943 he was appointed secretary to the Combined Operations Headquarters under Earl Mountbatten, who he subsequently followed to the South-East Asian theatre as Comptroller HQ SACSEA until 1945. He had one further appointment as the head of the Admiralty Mission to the Mediterranean, before retiring with the rank of rear-admiral in December 1945.

Record Details

Item reference: JRR; GB 0064
Catalogue Section: Personal collections
Level: COLLECTION
Date made: 1907-1979
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
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