Ronald Gustave Kellet
Encyclopedia
Wing Commander Ronald Gustave Kellett DSO DFC (1909–1998) was a Royal Air Force
flying ace
of the Second World War.
, 13 September 1909 and educated at Rossall School
.
in 1933. He was later to serve on No. 616 Squadron RAF
.
During the Battle of Britain he flew with No. 249 Squadron RAF
and commanded No. 303 Squadron RAF, the first operational Polish fighter squadron. He was awarded the Virtuti Militari 5th Class
by the Polish Government.
The following words about the Polish fighters were written in the 303 Squadron Chronicle by Kellett when he was leaving the unit:
He was later to serve in a number of staff positions for the rest of the war. With a tally of kills for the war at 5 confirmed 2 probable and 1 damaged, Kellett held the status of a Flying Ace
.
After the war, Kellett commanded No. 615 Squadron RAF
. He relinquished his commission on 1 October 1953.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of the Second World War.
Early life
Kellett was born in Eldon in the Parish of Shildon, County DurhamCounty Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, 13 September 1909 and educated at Rossall School
Rossall School
Rossall School is a British, co-educational, independent school, between Cleveleys and Fleetwood, Lancashire. Rossall was founded in 1844 by St. Vincent Beechey as a sister school to Marlborough College which had been founded the previous year...
.
Royal Air Force
He joined No. 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air ForceNo. 600 Squadron RAF
No. 600 Squadron RAuxAF is a squadron of the RAF Reserves. It was formed in 1925 and operated as a night fighter squadron during the Second World War with great distinction. After the war, 600 Squadron went on to operate jet fighters until 1957. Reactivated in 1999, 600 Squadron is the only RAF...
in 1933. He was later to serve on No. 616 Squadron RAF
No. 616 Squadron RAF
No. 616 Squadron was a unit of the British Auxiliary Air Force and later the Royal Auxiliary Air Force between 1938 and 1957.-Formation:...
.
During the Battle of Britain he flew with No. 249 Squadron RAF
No. 249 Squadron RAF
No. 249 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron, active in the sea-patrol, fighter and bomber roles during its existence.-First formation:...
and commanded No. 303 Squadron RAF, the first operational Polish fighter squadron. He was awarded the Virtuti Militari 5th Class
Virtuti Militari
The Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war...
by the Polish Government.
The following words about the Polish fighters were written in the 303 Squadron Chronicle by Kellett when he was leaving the unit:
He was later to serve in a number of staff positions for the rest of the war. With a tally of kills for the war at 5 confirmed 2 probable and 1 damaged, Kellett held the status of a Flying Ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
.
After the war, Kellett commanded No. 615 Squadron RAF
No. 615 Squadron RAF
No. 615 Squadron was a unit of the British Auxiliary Air Force and later the Royal Auxiliary Air Force between 1937 and 1957.-Formation and early years:...
. He relinquished his commission on 1 October 1953.
External links
- http://www.bbm.org.uk/KellettRG.htm