# Ronald Hamlyn

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British flying ace of WWII

Ronald Hamlyn Hamlyn in 1943 Born (1914-02-26)26 February 1914 Harrogate, England Died April 1991(1991-04-00) (aged 77) Allegiance United Kingdom Branch Royal Air Force Service years 1936–1957 Rank Squadron Leader Commands No. 275 Squadron No. 276 Squadron Conflicts Second World War Battle of Britain Circus offensive Awards Air Force Cross Distinguished Flying Medal

**Ronald Hamlyn** [AFC](/source/Air_Force_Cross_(United_Kingdom)), [DFM](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Medal) (26 February 1914–April 1991) was a British [flying ace](/source/Flying_ace) with the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) during the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War). He was credited with having destroyed at least ten German aircraft.

Born in [Harrogate](/source/Harrogate), Hamlyn joined the RAF in 1936 and was serving with [No. 72 Squadron](/source/No._72_Squadron_RAF) as a [sergeant pilot](/source/Sergeant_pilot) on the outbreak of the Second World War. He flew [Supermarine Spitfire](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire) fighters during the squadron's operations over [Dunkirk](/source/Dunkirk) as part of [Operation Dynamo](/source/Operation_Dynamo). He joined [No. 610 Squadron](/source/No._610_Squadron_RAF) immediately afterwards and flew extensively during the [Battle of Britain](/source/Battle_of_Britain), destroying several German aircraft including five in one day, on 24 August, for which he was awarded the [Distinguished Flying Medal](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Medal). The following year, he was [commissioned](/source/Commission_(document)) as a [pilot officer](/source/Pilot_officer) and posted to [No. 242 Squadron](/source/No._242_Squadron_RAF) with which he achieved his final aerial victories. He received his first squadron command in October 1941, being tasked with the formation of [No. 275 Squadron](/source/No._275_Squadron_RAF), an [air-sea rescue](/source/Air-sea_rescue) (ASR) unit. His work on ASR duties led to an award of the [Air Force Cross](/source/Air_Force_Cross_(United_Kingdom)). For the last two years of the war, he carried out staff and instructing duties. He remained in the RAF in the postwar period, serving until his retirement as a [squadron leader](/source/Squadron_leader) in 1957. In civilian life, he worked for the [Save the Children Fund](/source/Save_the_Children). He died in April 1991, aged 77.

## Early life

Ronald Fairfax Hamlyn was born on 26 February 1914 in [Harrogate](/source/Harrogate), England, and was educated at [Clifton House](/source/Norwood_College) and [Pocklington Grammar School](/source/Pocklington_School).[1] Once he finished his schooling, he worked in an insurance company as a junior administrator. He joined the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) in 1936, taking his initial flight training at [No. 11 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School](/source/List_of_Reserve_flying_schools) at [Perth](/source/RAF_Scone). He proceeded to the next phase of training at [No. 8 Flying Training School](/source/No._8_Flying_Training_School_RAF) at [Montrose](/source/RAF_Montrose) from which he graduated as a [sergeant pilot](/source/Sergeant_pilot).[2][3]

## Second World War

At the time of the outbreak of the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War), Hamlyn was serving with [No. 72 Squadron](/source/No._72_Squadron_RAF).[3] At the time, it was based at [Church Fenton](/source/RAF_Church_Fenton) and equipped with the [Supermarine Spitfire](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire) [fighter](/source/Fighter_aircraft).[4] It subsequently moved to [Leconfield](/source/RAF_Leconfield), from where it carried out convoy patrols and interception duties until it was moved to Scotland. It returned to the south of England in March 1940, based at [Acklington](/source/RAF_Acklington). During the final stages of [Operation Dynamo](/source/Operation_Dynamo), the evacuation of the [British Expeditionary Force](/source/British_Expeditionary_Force_(World_War_II)) from [Dunkirk](/source/Dunkirk) in France, the squadron shifted to [Gravesend](/source/RAF_Gravesend) from where it [sortied](/source/Sortie) extensively to provide aerial cover for the British troops. On 5 June, Hamlyn made an error when landing after the squadron's final sortie from Gravesend, failing to lock his undercarriage in place and causing his Spitfire to pancake onto the landing strip.[5][6]

### Battle of Britain

No. 72 Squadron was replaced by [No. 610 Squadron](/source/No._610_Squadron_RAF) on 6 June, and Hamlyn was attached to the new unit. This was shortly made a permanent posting.[2][5] Hamlyn's Spitfire-equipped squadron was tasked with patrolling along the [English Channel](/source/English_Channel) and on the afternoon of 3 July, he, his flight leader [John Ellis](/source/John_Ellis_(RAF_officer)), and four other pilots of the squadron, shared in the destruction of a [Dornier Do 17](/source/Dornier_Do_17) [medium bomber](/source/Medium_bomber) near [Folkestone](/source/Folkestone).[3][7] Later in the month the squadron moved to [Biggin Hill](/source/RAF_Biggin_Hill) but remained heavily engaged in the aerial fighting over southeast England.[8] Hamlyn damaged a [Messerschmitt Bf 109](/source/Messerschmitt_Bf_109) fighter over [Dover](/source/Dover) on 14 August. This was followed by his most successful day as a fighter pilot; on 24 August, he destroyed a [Junkers Ju 88](/source/Junkers_Ju_88) medium bomber over Dover and a Bf 109, and in subsequent sorties the same day, shot down three more Bf 109s. Two days later, in engagements near Dover, he shot down one Bf 109 and probably destroyed a second. On 28 August, he destroyed a Bf 109 near [Deal](/source/Deal%2C_Kent) and on the last day of the month, shot down another Bf 109, this time near Biggin Hill. His run of successes saw him awarded the [Distinguished Flying Medal](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Medal) (DFM).[3] The announcement was made on 13 September; the citation, published in *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*, read:

In August, 1940, whilst on an offensive patrol, Sergeant Hamlyn attacked and destroyed one Junkers 88, and one Messerschmitt 109. A few hours later he engaged a Messerschmitt 109, chased it across the English Channel and finally shot it down over Calais where it crashed in flames. Shortly afterwards he attacked and destroyed two further enemy aircraft, thus making a total of five in one day. Altogether this airman pilot has personally destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft. He has displayed great courage and good marksmanship.

— *London Gazette*, No. 34945, 13 September 1940[9]

### Circus offensive

By the time of the announcement of Hamlyn's DFM, No. 610 Squadron had been withdrawn to Acklington for a period of duty at reduced operational intensity. At the end of 1940, it moved again, this time to [Westhampnett](/source/RAF_Westhampnett), where it would remain for several months.[8] In June 1941, Hamlyn, who had been [commissioned](/source/Commission_(document)) as a [pilot officer](/source/Pilot_officer) earlier in the year, was posted to [No. 242 Squadron](/source/No._242_Squadron_RAF).[2][10]

Unlike his former units, the squadron was equipped with [Hawker Hurricane](/source/Hawker_Hurricane) fighters. Operating from [North Weald](/source/RAF_North_Weald), it carried out bomber escort duties as part of the RAF's [Circus offensive](/source/Circus_offensive). In August, it moved to [Manston](/source/RAF_Manston) and was also tasked with anti-shipping duties.[11] On one escort mission, involving [Bristol Blenheim](/source/Bristol_Blenheim) [light bombers](/source/Light_bomber) attacking [Béthune](/source/B%C3%A9thune) on 4 July, Hamlyn shot down a Bf 109 near [Gravelines](/source/Gravelines). He destroyed another Bf 109 near [Calais](/source/Calais) on 27 July and at the end of the month became an acting [flight lieutenant](/source/Flight_lieutenant) and appointed the [leader](/source/Flight_commander) of one of the squadron's flights.[3] He received a substantive promotion to [flying officer](/source/Flying_officer) two months later.[12]

### Squadron command

Personnel and some aircraft of No. 276 Squadron assembled at Harrowbeer, Devon. Hamlyn stands in the foreground

In October Hamlyn was rested from operational duties and posted to the RAF station at [Valley](/source/RAF_Valley) where he was to form and command [No. 275 Squadron](/source/No._275_Squadron_RAF).[2] This was an [air-sea rescue](/source/Air-sea_rescue) (ASR) squadron for [Fighter Command](/source/RAF_Fighter_Command)'s [No. 9 Group](/source/No._9_Group_RAF) and operated [Westland Lysanders](/source/Westland_Lysander) and the [Supermarine Walrus](/source/Supermarine_Walrus) [seaplane](/source/Seaplane) over the [Irish Sea](/source/Irish_Sea).[13] He later commanded [No. 276 Squadron](/source/No._276_Squadron_RAF), another ASR unit, which operated Walruses from [Harrowbeer](/source/RAF_Harrowbeer) in [Devon](/source/Devon). It also used Spitfires and the two-seater [Boulton Paul Defiant](/source/Boulton_Paul_Defiant) fighter as spotter aircraft for downed aircrew.[2][14] By this time Hamlyn's substantive rank was flight lieutenant, having received this promotion in late September 1942.[15] For his work in ASR, he was awarded the [Air Force Cross](/source/Air_Force_Cross_(United_Kingdom)) in the [1943 New Year Honours](/source/1943_New_Year_Honours).[16]

### Later war service

Hamlyn was posted to the headquarters of [Bomber Command](/source/RAF_Bomber_Command) later in 1943, where he served as the ASR officer. The following year he was attached to the United States [Ninth Air Force](/source/Ninth_Air_Force), working as its tactics liaison officer while it was based in [Normandy](/source/Normandy). A posting as a staff officer at the [Air Ministry](/source/Air_Ministry) followed in late 1944. In February 1945 Hamlyn was assigned to instructing duties, firstly at [No. 41 Operational Training Unit](/source/List_of_Royal_Air_Force_Operational_Training_Units) (OTU) and then with [No. 58 OTU](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._58_Operational_Training_Unit_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1), where he was serving when the war ended.[2][3]

## Later life

Remaining in the RAF in the postwar period, Hamyln was appointed station commander at [Maidugari](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RAF_Maiduguri&action=edit&redlink=1) in West Africa in September 1945. His substantive rank was made up to [squadron leader](/source/Squadron_leader) on 1 November 1947 and he eventually retired from the RAF in this rank in 1957.[2][17] In civilian life, he settled in the southwest of England and worked for the [Save the Children Fund](/source/Save_the_Children). He retired in the 1980s and moved to [Sussex](/source/Sussex).[2][3] He died in April 1991.[1]

Hamlyn is credited with having shot down eleven aircraft, with one of these shared with other pilots. He is also credited with one aircraft probably destroyed and one damaged.[3] His medals which, in addition to the AFC and DFM, included the [1939-1945 Star](/source/1939-1945_Star), with Battle of Britain clasp, the [Air Crew Europe Star](/source/Air_Crew_Europe_Star), with France and Germany clasp, the [Defence Medal](/source/Defence_Medal_(United_Kingdom)), [War Medal](/source/War_Medal_1939%E2%80%931945), and the [1953 Coronation Medal](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_II_Coronation_Medal), came up for auction in November 2014. They sold for £75,000.[18][19]

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn2015218_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn2015218_1-1) [Wynn 2015](#CITEREFWynn2015), p. 218.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bbm_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bbm_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bbm_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-bbm_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-bbm_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-bbm_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-bbm_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-bbm_2-7) ["The Airmen's Stories – Sgt. R F Hamlyn"](https://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Hamlyn.htm). *Battle of Britain London Monument*. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994310_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994310_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994310_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994310_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994310_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994310_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994310_3-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994310_3-7) [Shores & Williams 1994](#CITEREFShoresWilliams1994), p. 310.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDocherty200948_4-0)** [Docherty 2009](#CITEREFDocherty2009), p. 48.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976177_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976177_5-1) [Rawlings 1976](#CITEREFRawlings1976), p. 177.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDocherty200980–81_6-0)** [Docherty 2009](#CITEREFDocherty2009), pp. 80–81.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2013153_7-0)** [Cull 2013](#CITEREFCull2013), p. 153.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976495–496_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976495–496_8-1) [Rawlings 1976](#CITEREFRawlings1976), pp. 495–496.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["No. 34945"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34945/page/5488). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 13 September 1940. p. 5488.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["No. 35097"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35097/page/1371). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 7 March 1941. p. 1371.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976342–343_11-0)** [Rawlings 1976](#CITEREFRawlings1976), pp. 342–343.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["No. 35460"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35460/page/778). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 17 February 1942. p. 778.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalley1988342_13-0)** [Halley 1988](#CITEREFHalley1988), p. 342.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1982250–251_14-0)** [Rawlings 1982](#CITEREFRawlings1982), pp. 250–251.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["No. 35809"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35809/supplement/5267). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 4 December 1942. p. 5267.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["No. 35841"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35841/page/34). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 1 January 1943. p. 34.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["No. 38108"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38108/supplement/5063). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 28 October 1947. pp. 5063–5064.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Medals of Battle of Britain RAF Pilot Who Achieved 'Ace' Status To Go Under The Hammer"](https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/536522/Medals-of-Battle-of-Britain-RAF-pilot-to-go-under-the-hammer). *Daily Express*. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria Lot: 13"](https://www.spink.com/lot/14003000013). *Spink*. Spink & Son. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

## References

- Cull, Brian (2013). *First of the Few: 5 June – 9 July 1940*. Stroud: Fonthill. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-78155-116-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-78155-116-5).

- Docherty, Tom (2009). *Swift to Battle: No. 72 Fighter Squadron RAF in Action, Volume I 1937 to 1942*. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84415-829-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84415-829-4).

- Halley, James J. (1988). *The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988*. Tonbridge: Air-Britain. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85130-164-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85130-164-9).

- Rawlings, John (1976). *Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft*. London: MacDonald & James. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-354-01028-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-354-01028-X).

- Rawlings, John (1982). *Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft*. London: Jane's Publishing Company. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7106-0187-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7106-0187-5).

- Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994). *Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII*. London: Grub Street. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-8-9869-7000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-8-9869-7000).

- Wynn, Kenneth G. (2015). *Men of the Battle of Britain: A Biographical Directory of the Few*. Barnsley: Frontline Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-39901-465-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-39901-465-6).

v t e British World War II flying aces with 10+ aerial victories 30+ Pat Pattle (40+) Johnnie Johnson (34) George Beurling (31) William Vale (30) Brendan Finucane (28–32) 25–29 Robert Stanford Tuck (29) John Braham (29) Frank Carey (28) James Lacey (28) Neville Duke (27) Adolph Malan (27) Colin Gray (27) Eric Lock (26) 20–24 Lance Wade (23) Donald Kingaby (23) Bill Crawford-Compton (21) Branse Burbridge (21) Bobby Oxspring (21) Archie McKellar (21) John Cunningham (20) Douglas Bader (20) Billy Drake (20) Michael Crossley (20) Gerald Edge (20) 15–19 Geoffrey Allard (19) Roy Dutton (19) Manfred Czernin (18) Vernon Woodward (18) Karel Kuttelwascher (18) Albert Lewis (18) Desmond McMullen (17 & 5 shared) Herbert Hallowes (17 & 2 shared) William Rolls (17 & 1 shared) Mark Brown (17) Thomas Dalton-Morgan (17) Al Deere (17) Josef František (17) Willie McKnight (17) Stanley Orr (17) Newell Orton (17) James Rankin (17) Maurice Stephens (17) Witold Urbanowicz (17) Tony Lovell (16 & 6 shared) Alfred Marshall (16 & 2 shared) Alexander Rabagliati (16 & 1 shared) James Sanders (16 & 1 shared) Peter Brothers (16) Nigel Cullen (16) Bob Doe (16) Eugeniusz Horbaczewski (16) Edgar Kain (16) James MacLachlan (16) Michael Robinson (16) Raymond Harries (15 & 5 shared) Adrian Boyd (15 & 3 shared) William Dennis David (15 & 2 shared) Max Aitken (15) John Baldwin (15) Bunny Currant (15) Ernest Mason (15) Alan Owen (15) 10–14 Ronald Berry (14 & 10 shared) George Gilroy (14 & 10 shared) Robert Boyd (14 & 7 shared) Richard Milne (14 & 1 shared) Richard Stevens (14 & 1 shared) John Kilmartin (14) Donald McKay (14) Peter Wykeham (14) John Villa (13 & 4 shared) George Unwin (13 & 2 shared) John Ellis (13 & 1 shared) Ian Gleed (13) Harry Broadhurst (13) Ronald Hay (13) Joseph Kayll (13) John Mungo-Park (13) James O'Meara (13) John Topham (13) Jefferson Wedgwood (13) James Storrar (12 & 2 shared) Harold Atkinson (12) George Bennions (12) Stanley Connors (12) John Dundas (12) John Gibson (12) Arthur Hodgkinson (12) Geoffrey Page (12) Harold White (12) Andrew McDowall (11 & 2 shared) John Webster (11 & 2 shared) Harold Howes (11 & 1 shared) Frederick Robertson (11 & 1 shared) Harold Walmsley (11 & 1 shared) Osgood Hanbury (11) George Palliser (11) Allan Wright (11) John Freeborn (11) Ian Allan (11) Francis Soper (10 & 4 shared) Kenneth Mackenzie (10 & 3 shared) Patrick Woods-Scawen (10 & 3 shared) William Dymond (10 & 1 shared) Ronald Hamlyn (10 & 1 shared) Paul Richey (10 & 1 shared) Victor Beamish (10) James Benson (10) Minden Blake (10) Archie Boyd (10) John Thompson (10) Trevor Wade (10) List of British and Commonwealth World War II aces Lists of World War II flying aces

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ronald Hamlyn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Hamlyn) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Hamlyn?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.