Ronald Wight was born in Skelmorlie, Ayrshire on 8^th December 1915 and educated at Bowdon College, Cheshire; Mostyn House School, Parkgate and Wrekin College. He joined the RAF on a short service commission in March 1934 and was posted to 5 Flying Training School, RAF Sealand, North Wales.

On completion of his training in September 1935 he joined 208 Squadron at Heliopilis, Egypt and was then attached to 29 Squadron at Amriya in January 1936, finally joining 64 Squadron when it formed at Heliopilis on 1^st March 1936. He returned to the UK in August 1936, still with 64 Squadron and remained with them until April 1937 when he was posted to 72 Squadron at RAF Church Fenton.

In February 1938 he was posted to 213 Squadron at the same airfield but later that year became ill and was taken off flying with a posting to SHQ at RAF Wittering. Fully recovered, he returned to 213 Squadron in February 1939 as a Flight Commander flying Hurricanes.

The squadron was sent to Merville on 17^th May 1940 to support the RAF squadrons in France. On the 19^th May 1940 he is thought to have shot down a Me109 and shared a Hs126 and on the 20^th May he probably destroyed a Do17, Me110 and shared a Hs126.

The squadron was withdrawn on the 21^st May, and his flight went to RAF Manston. Over Dunkirk on the 27^th May he destroyed two Me109’s, on the 28^th May another Me109 and two probables, plus a probable He111. On the 30^th May he probably destroyed a Do17 and on the 31^st May destroyed another two Me109’s. In terms of enemy aircraft destroyed he is deemed to be a 'fighter ace'.

Following a sortie over the channel on 11^th August 1940 leading a formation of three Hurricanes to the attack against 60+ ME110’s he failed to return from combat in Hurricane N2650. One of “The Few”, his body was later washed ashore in France and today he lies in Cayeux-sur-Mer Communal Cemetery. At the time of his death Ronald was 24 years old.

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

A downloadable copy of this story is available here.

See also the Commonwealth War Graves Commission permanent digital memorial, ‘Evermore: Stories of the fallen’ relating to:- Flt-Lieutenant Ronald Derek Gordon WIGHT