Ronnie Fokes

Ronald Henry Fokes, (5 December 1912 – 12 June 1944) was a British flying ace who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He is credited with having shot down at least thirteen aircraft.

From Upper Halliford, Fokes was training as a pilot in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve when he was called up to serve in the RAF as a sergeant pilot on the outbreak of the Second World War. He flew Supermarine Spitfire fighters with No. 92 Squadron, achieving much success during the Battle of Britain. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal and commissioned as a pilot officer towards the end of 1940, he continued to serve with the squadron until rested from operations in May 1941. He spent six months as an instructor and a test pilot before returned to operational service with No. 156 Squadron and then No. 54 Squadron. From August 1942 to February 1943 he was a test pilot for the Gloster Aircraft Company, and was then posted to No. 193 Squadron. He was given command of No. 257 Squadron in July 1943 and he led this unit until he was killed on 12 June 1944, while on a sortie to Caen.

Early life Ronald Henry Fokes, known as Ronnie, was born on 5 December 1912 at Upper Halliford in Surrey, England. He went to Hampton Grammar School and once his education was completed, worked in the insurance industry. In April 1937, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an airman to train as a pilot. His flight instruction was at No. 5 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School (E&RFTS) at Hanworth. In March 1939, he was given the opportunity to train full-time with the Royal Air Force (RAF), flying with No. 87 Squadron from late March to August. At that time he reverted to part-time training with the RAFVR, going to No. 10 E&RFTS at Yatesbury.

Second World War On the outbreak of the Second World War, Fokes was called up to serve with the RAF. After a period of time at the Initial Training wing at Bexhill, in January 1940, he was posted to No. 92 Squadron.

Two days after the announcement of his DFM, Fokes probably destroyed a Bf 109 over Eastbourne. He was commissioned as a pilot officer with effect from 29 November. He shot down a Bf 109 near Dover on 5 December and another near Dungeness on 21 December. On 23 January he shared in the damaging of what he claimed as a Do 17 near Manston, but this was actually a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter which subsequently crashed in Zuydcoote in France. On 4 February he was one of four pilots that combined in the shooting down of a Junkers Ju 87 dive bomber, the wreckage of which crashed near Manston.

By this time No. 92 Squadron was re-equipping with the new Spitfire Mk Vb, and it soon started operations to the continent as part of Fighter Command's Circus offensive. On 26 April Fokes destroyed a Bf 109 to the north of Cap Gris-Nez.

Later war service In May Fokes was posted to No. 53 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Heston as an instructor and then to the Central Flying School at Upavon on an instructor's course. A spell at No. 61 OTU followed. In November Fokes was posted to the newly formed No. 154 Squadron as a flight commander. The intensity of the squadron's operations increased into the spring and summer months ahead of the invasion of Normandy. Then, after D-Day, it carried out ground attack sorties. Fokes was due to end his tour just before the D-Day landings took place, but elected to remain with the squadron until after the invasion. On 12 June his aircraft was shot down over Caen, France, during a ground attack mission. Fokes bailed out, but was killed when he hit the ground before his parachute opened. He was buried at Soulangy, but when a Commonwealth War Grave Commission cemetery was established at Banneville-la-Campagne, his body was re-interred there. He is credited with the destruction of thirteen aircraft, four of which were shared with other pilots, two unconfirmed destroyed aircraft, and three probably destroyed. He is also credited with damaging two aircraft, one being shared.