HAWTHORNE, Ronald Orlando
| Service Number: | 415790 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 February 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 461 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Manly, New South Wales, Australia, 7 July 1917 |
| Home Town: | Bunbury, Bunbury, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Perth, 2 January 2016, aged 98 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia Killara Gardens of Remberence |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Feb 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 415790 | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Aug 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 415790 | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement Flying Officer, 415790, No. 461 Squadron (RAAF) |
Ron Hawthorne
Ron Hawthorne initially joined 461 Squadron as a Warrant Officer wireless operator/air gunner and flew with with Roger Newtons crew with Don Howe as First Pilot and Norman Sheehan as Second pilot.
When Don Howe was given his own crew Ron flew with Norman Sheehan's crew with Vince McCauley as First Pilot
In 1944 Ron was promoted to Flying Officer on the recommendation of Norman Sheehan
On becoming tour expired with 461 Squadron Ron was posted to 4 (C) O.T.U at Alness in northern Scotland where he was later joined by Norman Sheehan and others from 461 Squadron who rotated out of the squadron on becoming tour expired .
Ron was responsible for the shooting down of a Focke -wulf 200 aircraft when flying with Roger Newton and crew on the 26th December 1943 and years later corresponded with the wireless operator from the German crew and discovered that the Germans next door neighbors daughter had married Rogers son
Ron finished the war at 4(C) O.T.U. in February 1945
Ron lived in Bunbury W.A for many years and died in Perth on the 2 January 2016 aged 98 years
Submitted 13 January 2021 by Marshall Sheehan