Ronnie Fokes

Ronnie Fokes
Nickname Ronnie
Born 1913
Rotherham, Yorkshire, England
Died 12 June 1944 (aged 30 or 31)
Caen, France
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Air Force
Rank Squadron Leader
Service number 88439
Unit No. 92 Squadron RAF
Commands held No. 257 Squadron RAF
Battles/wars

World War II:
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Medal

Ronald Henry 'Ronnie' Fokes DFC, DFM was a British RAF flying ace of the Second World War.

Fokes joined the RAFVR in 1937, and eventually joined No. 151 Squadron in April 1939, moving to No. 87 Squadron a few days later. After the outbreak of war he joined No. 92 Squadron in January 1940. He flew intensively for the rest of the year, scoring 9 kills, four shared kills, two unconfirmed kills, three probable kills, one damaged and one shared damaged whilst flying with No. 92 Sqn RAF.[1] He was awarded the DFM in November 1940, and commissioned later the same month.

In May 1941 he was posted to 53 OTU at Heston as an instructor and then to the Central Flying School, Upavon on an instructor's course. A spell at 61 OTU followed. In November 1941 he joined 154 Squadron as a flight commander. In March 1942 he joined 56 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon. In August he became a test pilot on Typhoons at Gloster Aircraft, until February 1943 when he returned to operations with 193 Squadron.

Fokes took command of No. 257 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon in July 1943. He was awarded the DFC in March 1944, and was due to end his tour just before D-day, but elected to remain with the Squadron until after the invasion. He was then shot down and killed by flak on a ground attack mission over Caen, France, on 12 June 1944.

Contents

Honours and awards

In October, 1940, this airman was on patrol with his squadron at 30,000 feet, when a formation of more than twenty Messerschmitt 109s was sighted. Sergeant Fokes attacked one, and followed it down to the ground where it crashed. He has displayed great courage and tenacity and has personally destroyed at least six enemy aircraft.

— London Gazette[2]

This officer has completed a very large number of sorties during which he has shot down at least 10 enemy aircraft. He is a fine leader and has invariably pressed home his attacks with skill and resolution.

— London Gazette[3]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Price 1996, p. 30.
  2. ^ London Gazette: no. 34993. p. 6570. 15 November 1940. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  3. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36418. p. 1166. 10 March 1940. Retrieved 23 July 2010.

Bibliography

  • Price, Dr. Alfred. Spitfire Mark I/II Aces 1939–1941. Botley, Kent, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-85532-635-4.
  • Thomas, Andrew. Griffon Spitfire Aces. Botley, Kent, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2008. ISBN 1-84603-298-1.