Ronald Hamlyn

Ronald Hamlyn AFC, DFM (26 February 1914–April 1991) was a British flying ace with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having destroyed at least ten German aircraft.

Born in Harrogate, Hamlyn joined the RAF in 1936 and was serving with No. 72 Squadron as a sergeant pilot on the outbreak of the Second World War. He flew Supermarine Spitfire fighters during the squadron's operations over Dunkirk as part of Operation Dynamo. He joined No. 610 Squadron immediately afterwards and flew extensively during the Battle of Britain, destroying several German aircraft including five in one day, on 24 August, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. The following year, he was commissioned as a pilot officer and posted to No. 242 Squadron 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, an air-sea rescue (ASR) unit. His work on ASR duties led to an award of the Air Force Cross. 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 in 1957. In civilian life, he worked for the Save the Children Fund. He died in April 1991, aged 77.