Ronnie Fokes

Squadron Leader Ronald Henry 'Ronnie' Fokes (1913-1944) was a British RAF flying ace of the Second World War with nine confirmed "kills".

Military career
Fokes joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937, and eventually joined No. 151 Squadron RAF in April 1939, moving to No. 87 Squadron RAF a few days later. After the outbreak of war he joined No. 92 Squadron RAF in January 1940. He was awarded the DFM in November 1940, and commissioned later the same month.

In May 1941 he was posted to 53 OTU at Heston as an instructor and then to the Central Flying School, Upavon on an instructor's course. A spell at 61 OTU followed. In November 1941 he joined 154 Squadron as a flight commander. In March 1942 he joined 56 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon. In August he became a test pilot on Typhoons at Gloster Aircraft, until February 1943 when he returned to operations with 193 Squadron.

Fokes took command of No. 257 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon in July 1943. He was awarded the DFC in March 1944, and was due to end his tour just before D-day, but elected to remain with the Squadron until after the invasion. He was then shot down and killed by flak on a ground attack mission over Caen, France, on 12 June 1944.

List of air victories
Fokes' combar record reads: nine kills, four shared kills, two unconfirmed kills, three probable kills, one damaged and one shared damaged.

Honours and awards

 * 15 November 1940 - 740109 Sergeant Ronald Henry Fokes, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 92 Squadron is awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal:


 * 10 March 1940 - Acting Squadron Leader Ronald Henry Fokes, DFM (88439), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 257 Squadron is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross: