Ronald Sykes

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Ronald Sykes
Born3 March 1899
Stockton-on-Tees, England
Died15 September 1977 (aged 78)
Bredon, Gloucestershire, England
AllegianceEngland
Service/branchAviation
Years of service1917–1920
RankCaptain
Unit No. 9 Squadron RNAS, No. 203 Squadron RAF, No. 201 Squadron RAF
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross, Russian Order of Saint Stanilas
Other workServed in Russia 1919–1920

Captain Ronald Sykes DFC (1899-1977) was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. [1]

Contents

World War I service

Sykes joined the Royal Naval Air Service in April 1917. In September, he joined 9 Naval Squadron to fly a Sopwith Camel in Roy Brown's flight. On the 20th, he shot down an Albatros D.III out of control, and was in turn shot down by Paul Baumer. Sykes evaded capture by the Germans and swam the Yser River to return to friendly forces. In March 1918, he joined Raymond Collishaw in 3 Naval Squadron. On 30 May, he scored again, driving down a Fokker Dr.I triplane. In early August 1918, he moved to 201 Squadron as a flight commander. On the 12th, he teamed with Robert McLaughlin and H. R. de Wilde to destroy two Fokker D.VIIs. Sykes would destroy another D.VII on 2 September, and drive one down on 9 November 1918. [2] [3]

Postwar service

In 1919, Sykes served in northern Russia. His Camel's tension wires snapped, dropping him behind Russian lines. He was repatriated in 1920. He left the Royal Air Force and became an engineer. [4] [5]

Honors and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

"Lieut. (A./Capt.) Ronald Sykes, 201 Squadron. (FRANCE)

An excellent patrol leader, who displayed marked gallantry on 27 September. While engaged in dropping bombs on enemy infantry in a sunken road he was attacked by four enemy aeroplanes. Out-manoeuvring them, he retired west. As soon as the hostile aeroplanes had withdrawn, he returned and fired a number of rounds into the infantry at 200 feet, causing many casualties. He then dived on another party of fifteen, who became so demoralised that they surrendered to one of our men." [6]

Sources of information

  1. ↑ "Ronald Sykes". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  2. ↑ "Ronald Sykes". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  3. ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 356.
  4. ↑ "Ronald Sykes". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  5. ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 356.
  6. ↑ www.london-gazette.co.uk http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31170/pages/2047 . Retrieved 20 February 2010.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

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References

Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN   0-948817-19-4, ISBN   978-0-948817-19-9.

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