Ronnie Fokes
Encyclopedia
Ronald Henry 'Ronnie' Fokes
DFC
, DFM
was a British
RAF flying ace
of the Second World War.
Fokes joined the RAFVR in 1937, and eventually joined No. 151 Squadron in April 1939, moving to No. 87 Squadron a few days later. After the outbreak of war he joined No. 92 Squadron in January 1940. He flew intensively for the rest of the year, scoring 9 kills, four shared kills, two unconfirmed kills, three probable kills, one damaged and one shared damaged whilst flying with No. 92 Sqn RAF. He was awarded the DFM in November 1940, and commissioned later the same month.
In May 1941 he was posted to 53 OTU at Heston
as an instructor and then to the Central Flying School
, Upavon on an instructor's course. A spell at 61 OTU followed. In November 1941 he joined 154 Squadron as a flight commander. In March 1942 he joined 56 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon
. In August he became a test pilot on Typhoons at Gloster Aircraft, until February 1943 when he returned to operations with 193 Squadron.
Fokes took command of No. 257 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon
in July 1943. He was awarded the DFC in March 1944, and was due to end his tour just before D-day, but elected to remain with the Squadron until after the invasion. He was then shot down and killed by flak on a ground attack mission over Caen
, France
, on 12 June 1944.
DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, DFM
Distinguished Flying Medal
The Distinguished Flying Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active...
was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
RAF 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.
Fokes joined the RAFVR in 1937, and eventually joined No. 151 Squadron in April 1939, moving to No. 87 Squadron a few days later. After the outbreak of war he joined No. 92 Squadron in January 1940. He flew intensively for the rest of the year, scoring 9 kills, four shared kills, two unconfirmed kills, three probable kills, one damaged and one shared damaged whilst flying with No. 92 Sqn RAF. He was awarded the DFM in November 1940, and commissioned later the same month.
In May 1941 he was posted to 53 OTU at Heston
Heston
Heston is a place in the London Borough of Hounslow, west London. It is a suburban development area, based on a former farming village west south-west of Charing Cross.-History:...
as an instructor and then to the Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
, Upavon on an instructor's course. A spell at 61 OTU followed. In November 1941 he joined 154 Squadron as a flight commander. In March 1942 he joined 56 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon
Hawker Typhoon
The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft. While the Typhoon was designed to be a medium-high altitude interceptor, and a direct replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, several design problems were encountered, and the Typhoon never completely satisfied...
. In August he became a test pilot on Typhoons at Gloster Aircraft, until February 1943 when he returned to operations with 193 Squadron.
Fokes took command of No. 257 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon
Hawker Typhoon
The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft. While the Typhoon was designed to be a medium-high altitude interceptor, and a direct replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, several design problems were encountered, and the Typhoon never completely satisfied...
in July 1943. He was awarded the DFC in March 1944, and was due to end his tour just before D-day, but elected to remain with the Squadron until after the invasion. He was then shot down and killed by flak on a ground attack mission over Caen
Caen
Caen is a commune in northwestern France. It is the prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Basse-Normandie region. It is located inland from the English Channel....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, on 12 June 1944.
Honours and awards
- 15 November 1940 - 740109 Sergeant Ronald Henry Fokes, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 92 SquadronNo. 92 Squadron RAFNo. 92 Squadron, also known as No 92 Squadron, of the Royal Air Force was formed as part of the Royal Flying Corps at London Colney as a fighter squadron on 1 September 1917. It deployed to France in July 1918 and saw action for just four months, until the end of the war. During the conflict it...
is awarded the Distinguished Flying MedalDistinguished Flying MedalThe Distinguished Flying Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active...
:
- 10 March 1940 - Acting Squadron Leader Ronald Henry Fokes, DFM (88439), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 257 SquadronNo. 257 Squadron RAF-In World War I:No. 257 Squadron was formed at Dundee on 18 August 1918 from Nos. 318 and 319 Flights. It flew both seaplanes and flying boats on anti-submarine patrols from Dundee until the end of the First World War and disbanded there on 30 June 1919....
is awarded the Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
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