Lt Col J F Sherrard TD

Commanding Officer - The East Surrey Regiment

Commanded 6^th Bn The East Surrey Regiment from 1^st May 1960 to 30^th April 1961 and after amalgamation with 23^rd London, Regiment on 1^st May 1961 commanded 4^th Bn The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment until 1^st April 1964.

John Fancis Sherrard was born on 24^th November 1919 and educated at Aldenham School from September 1933 to December 1937. He joined the staff of the Midland Bank in December 1937. In February 1940 he was called up into the RAOC and reported at Woolwich. He was promoted Sergeant early in 1941 and posted to The South Wales Borderers for Pre-OCTU training at Brecon. He attended OCTU at Dunbar and was commissioned in The East Surrey Regiment in November 1941 and posted to the 2/6^th Battalion at Henley-on-Thames. He was a keen sportsman, a first class cross-country runner and a robust soccer player. Later he was posted to HQ 7^th Infantry Brigade as a Liaison Officer and in 1944 he joined the staff at HQ lOth Indian Division in Italy with whom he served there, and in India until he was demobilized in May 1946. He was awarded the Bronze Star (USA) for his services in Italy.

He re-joined Midland Bank. On demobilisation in 1947 he joined the reconstituted 6^th Battalion in which he served as platoon commander, company commander, Battalion Second-in-command and finally as Commanding Officer from 1^st May 1960. After much planning in which he took a leading part, the amalgamation in 1961 with 23^rd London Regiment was most successfully carried out, and he then commanded the new Battalion (4^th Bn The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment;) until 1^st . April 1964. The highlight. of his tour was the impressive parade at which new Colours were presented in 1963. In November 1979 he retired from Midland Bank.

As a gardener he was a perfectionist and specialised in growing some very fine Chrysanthemums. He was a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Girdlers. He was a keen golf player but owing to a trapped nerve in his back he became very lame and had to give up the game. Notwithstanding this disability, with the help of his brother Stephen, he pursued an active life and was a regular attendee at all Regimental functions.

He was clerk to the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Territorial Trustees for many years.

 

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