Mois : novembre 2025

What happened on August 6, 1943?

The last news about Ron was given to us by his friend, who went to Africa with him and came home about six weeks ago. It appears that they were on a raid over Naples and Ron’s aircraft went in first, and it took a lot of punishment. The radio was out of action, coming back and when the aircraft circling above as the aerodrome, at Cape Bon, it dived out of control into the sea.

More contribution by Ronald Bertram Perry’s niece

Hello again,

My parents had a treasure trove of items, including a crew photo which I will attach. They also had a snippet from a newsletter with more detail of the incident which I have also attached. It gives a much better idea of why they crashed than the MOD reports! Apologies that it’s sideways! I have no idea what newsletter this was, sadly.

Reading some of Ron’s letters home, he makes reference to his crew as « Woody » I assume Duncan Wood, « Chuck » I assume Charles Reist, « Tommy » Thomas Driscoll and « Skipper » or plain Ross for Ross Clark. I have found Ross Clark’s Great Nephew via Ancestry, but he has not replied to my message, sadly.

My father has written a eulogy of sorts for Ron

« Ron was the first born of two sons to Bert and May Perry. He grew up in North London and was his mother’s favourite. He lived all his short life in North London and at school was good academically, as well as a good athlete. We still have 3 medals which he won, together with a trophy from Tollington School in 1936.
When he left school he joined the LMS Railway where his father and brother, Ken, worked.
Following his death, his family moved to St Albans in Hertfordshire though Ron was never forgotten; there was always a table of remembrance in the front room with his photo in uniform. Ron was unmarried when he died and left no children and his brother, Ken, never married after the war, choosing instead to spend his life caring for his heartbroken parents. Ken never even applied for his medals following the war.

In 1950 Bert, May and Ken took a trip to visit Ron and his crew’s memorial in Malta. »

According to the letters home, he and his friends had just bought a gramophone and records from a soldier who was going home the week before his death, so at least they had some light relief.

Hope this is helpful,
Jo