Sergeant (Air Gunner) R. W. Horwood
61 Sqn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
1337229
Killed in action, 22 August 1943, Netherlands. Aged 21.
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Born in Horsell about 1922 , Ronald William Horwood was the third and youngest son of Arthur (‘Andy’) and Lena Horwood (nee Gilbert) of Walton-on-Thames and the brother of Cyril Horwood (q.v.) who was also killed in action aged 21.
Ronald arrived at the County School in 1933 and eventually became prefect and vice-captain of the school cricket team. He was awarded football and rugby colours.
After leaving school in 1939 Ronald took over his older brothers post as clerk at Brookwood hospital where he remained until volunteering in August 1941. He was a keen sportsman who gained colours in rugby, cricket and football whilst at the County School. After leaving school he played cricket for the Olinda Vandals in Walton and football for Old Wokingians FC.
After enlistment Ronald learned to fly in Southern Rhodesia before returning to England in April 1943. He then took part in many operations over occupied Europe including a raid on Milan.
Ronald served with 61 Sqn. based at RAF Syerston near Nottingham. Sydney Bradshaw (q.v.) served with the same squadron.
On the evening of 22 August 1943 Lancaster DV228 was airborne from Syerston at 2111. The average age of the crew was just 23. The destination that night was Leverkusen. She was intercepted and shot down by a Luftwaffe night fighter piloted by Lt. Heinz Block over Heicop in the south of Holland.
The crew that night were as follows:
Sgt. Joseph A. Spencer - Aged 22 from Letchworth, Hertfordshire. KIA.
Sgt. (Flt. Eng.) Thomas F. Watkins - Aged 23 from London. KIA
Sgt. (Nav.) Jack Punter - Aged 26 from Norwood, Surrey. KIA.
Sgt. S. Williamson - Captured.
Sgt. S. J. Banting (W. op./air gunner) - Aged 21 from Woodcote, Sussex. KIA.
Sgt. (Air gunner) Einar Johnson (RCAF) - Aged 26 from Canada. KIA.
Sgt. (Air gunner) Ronald Horwood - Aged 21 from Horsell.
Ronald Horwood is buried in Hei-En-Boeicop (Heicop) General Cemetery, Netherlands (row 1, joint grave 3). He is also remembered on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking.
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Last updated 3 April 2010
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail
Woking County School magazine
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