Ronald Thornely

Captain Ronald Roscoe Thornely DSC, MSM, MiD was an English World War I flying ace. He was credited with nine aerial victories while flying for the Royal Naval Air Service.

Early life
Ronald Roscoe Thornely was born in Cambridge, England on 10 July 1889. He enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, being granted a temporary commission as a sub-lieutenant on 12 December 1914.

World War I
Thornley originally served in the Royal Naval Armoured Car Division in the Gallipoli Campaign. In May 1916, he transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service. He joined 8 Squadron RNAS in March 1917. He won nine victories between June and September 1917, earning a Distinguished Service Cross for his valour. He was raised to temporary captain on 7 May 1918.

List of aerial victories
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

Post World War I
Thornely was also mentioned in dispatches in January 1919. On 6 January 1919, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Thornely was transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force on 1 March 1919. His history remains unknown for the next decades.

Ronald Roscoe Thornely was named solicitor for the estates of Thomas and Mabel Martha Thornely on 29 April 1949. His life beyond this point is unknown.