Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1901, Upper Holloway, Middlesex, England; 90 Duncombe Road
• Census: 1911, Upper Holloway, Middlesex, England; 98 Fairbridge Road
• Census: 1939, Islington, Middlesex, England; 3 - Civil Service Clerk

Notes:

St Stephen's

Died:
30 Fountains Crescent

Albert married Florence Harriet Maud EDDY on 7 May 1916 in Upper Holloway, Middlesex, England. Florence (daughter of Charles Joseph EDDY) was born on 26 Oct 1885 in Tottenham, Middlesex, England; died on 13 Jul 1970 in Southgate, London, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth Record: Between Apr and Jun 1918, Islington, Middlesex, England; #V1b-P189
• Occupation: Islington, Middlesex, England; Deputy Superintendant Registrar
• Residence: Marnhull, Dorset, England; 18 Ham Meadows
• Military Service: Between 23 Oct 1938 and 6 Sep 1946; RAF wireless op on Air Sea Rescue: sunk by gunfire 1940
• Death Record: Sep 1997, Dorset, England; #59-4301-248

Notes:

Ronald volunteered for service in the Auxiliary Air Force on 23rd October.1938 and was called up for Regular Service in RAF in 1939. He was posted to Dover in the service of the Air Sea Rescue and trained as radio operator.
One of his earliest missions was to go into the Channel in a Carley Float (rope bottom boat) and lie low waiting to pick up downed airmen who had been shot down by the Germans. Unfortunately the Germans spotted the boat very near the French coast shot at them killed most of them but Ronald got into the sea and was there for 36 hours before he was picked up by the Germans. He was taken to France put into solitary confinement and interrogated then moved across Germany and into Poland to several different POW camps. To maintain his fitness and sanity he volunteered for any sort of work building roads and moving coal. He suffered with his chest and went into hospital and was treated for various things.
After the numerous camps he finally got away and was sheltered by drunken Russians (firing guns) for a day or so but then went off into the forest but walked for miles. He was eventually picked up by the advancing Americans and finally got to the coast where he found transport for home.
After repatriation Ronald returned to civilian life as a Registrar of Births and deaths, a job he enjoyed, His wartime experiences left mental scars and he remained reluctant to say very much about his experiences.

Ronald was reluctant to say much about his POW days but on one occasion he mentioned to me (Derek Ivory) that had managed to escape three times and had been held in Stalag Luft III from which there was a major escapes featured in the famous war film "The Wooden Horse" after which a number of the recaptured officers were executed and all suffered harsh treatment. I believe he also mentioned being in Stalag V111B which was featured in the film "The Great Escape"

The final paragraph above is from my memory one or two brief conversations but all the other note have been provided and/or confirmed by Ronald's wife, Jean.
Derek. W. Ivory, June 2012

Ronald married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]