Ronald Wight was born in Skelmorlie, Ayrshire on 8^th December 1915. He received his education at Bowdon College in Cheshire, Mostyn House School in Parkgate, and finally Wrekin College.

Joining the Royal Air Force

In March 1934, Wight joined the RAF on a short service commission. The following month, he began his training at 5 Flying Training School, RAF Sealand, North Wales. Upon completing his training in September 1935, he was posted to 208 Squadron at Heliopolis, Egypt. In January 1936, he was attached to 29 Squadron at Amriya and shortly afterwards, in March, he joined the newly reformed 64 Squadron at Heliopolis. After a brief period in Egypt, he returned to the UK in August 1936, remaining with 64 Squadron at RAF Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, until April 1937, when he transferred to 72 Squadron at RAF Church Fenton.

Pre-War Service and Illness

Ronald was posted to 213 Squadron at RAF Wittering in February 1938. Later that year, he fell ill and was removed from flying duties, taking up a post at SHQ at the same location. After making a full recovery, he returned to 213 Squadron in February 1939 as a Flight Commander, piloting Hurricanes.

Service During the Second World War

On 17^th May 1940, 213 Squadron was detached to Merville to support RAF units in France. During this period, Wight was credited with shooting down a Me109 and sharing in the destruction of a Hs126 on 19^th May. The following day, he probably destroyed a Do17 and a Me110, as well as sharing another Hs126. The squadron withdrew on 21^st May, with Wight's flight relocating to RAF Manston.

Several of Wight’s after-action RAF Combat Reports from this time survive, some written in his own hand. Two of these mission reports are reproduced below.

Actions Over Dunkirk

The next two mission reports cover his involvement during the Dunkirk evacuation, known as ‘Operation Dynamo’, which saw the rescue of more than 338,000 Allied soldiers from the Dunkirk beaches between 26^th May and 4^th June 1940.

While flying over Dunkirk on 27^th May on one such mission, Wight destroyed two Me109s. On 28^th May, on another mission he accounted for another Me109 and two probable kills, plus a probable He111. On a mission on 30^th May, he probably destroyed a Do17, and on 31^st May, he destroyed two more Me109s

Medallic Recognition and Final Mission

In June 1940, Ronald Wight was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his role in destroying ten enemy aircraft, four of which were shot down while serving in France. The award announcement praised his “dash and outstanding qualities as a leader” during the many patrols he undertook.

On 11^th August 1940, while leading a formation of three Hurricanes on a sortie over the Channel against a force of more than sixty ME110s, Wight failed to return from combat in Hurricane N2650. As one of “The Few,” his body was later found washed ashore in France.

His visit to Wrekin College in the Summer Term of 1940 was remembered by many who saw him during his visit.

Son of John Eric Wight & Ethel Wight of Hale, Cheshire.

Ronald is commemorated on the Battle of Britain memorials in London & Kent.

'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'
Winston S. Churchill: 20^th August 1940

Ronald [another OW RAF Officer with a liking for fast cars] was the proud owner of an Aston Martin Ulster,  a high-performance pre-war sports car, built from 1934-1935 and based on the Mk II chassis. [Reg No. CS 2324] Created to celebrate the success of the team cars in the 1934 Ulster Tourist Trophy race, the Ulster was known for its 100 mph top speed and sleek, lightweight design, and it is considered a pivotal model in the long manufacturing history of Aston Martin.  Approximately three dozen were built, and all but a few are believed to still exist today.  Ronald purchased this vehicle for the sum of £200 from the father of a fellow RAF Officer who was killed in April 1040.

The vehicle was traced to the island of Jersey, where under registration number J 8682 it took part in a number of club events up to the year 2000. In 2006 it took part in the Migle Millia in Italy, and as of 2025 the vehicle, still in roadworthy condition, remains in Jersey. [Gratitude is due to officials of the Aston Martin Owners Club for their assistance with this aspect of the cars history]

A downloadable copy of this story is available here.

Revised: October 2025

The items found on his person when his body was recovered by the Germans, all of which were being carried by him in contravention of RAF Flying regulations, were later returned to his family via the International Red Cross. They are shown in the photo gallery below and are provided courtesy of the current owner, Roger Bragger, who also owns Ronald’s medal group and various items of paperwork, photographs, diaries etc.