Gerard Crole

Captain Gerard Bruce Crole (7 June 1894 – 31 March 1965) was a British colonial administrator, who represented Scotland in international rugby union and cricket, and was also a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. Biography Early life and education Crole was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the only son of Gerard Lake Crole (1855–1927), an advocate who served as Sheriff of Lothian and Peebles, and Elizabeth Ann (née Coats) (1857–1945). He was educated at Edinburgh Academy, and University College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1914. Military service Crole, having served in the Oxford Officers' Training Corps, was commissioned as a probationary second lieutenant in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) on 15 August 1914, but this was cancelled on 1 December, and he was then commissioned again on 4 January 1915 as a temporary second lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery.