
Ron celebrated his 100th birthday on Friday 24th January 2025 at Abbey House Nursing Home, Netley, in the company of his daughter Doreen, son Ronnie, one grandson, one of his gt grandsons and other friends.
Ron was born in Uckfield, East Sussex as one of 4 children and enrolled at TS “MERCURY” on 29 April 1937 at the age of 12 years 4 months. His intended period at school upon the entry record was given as three years and he was discharged “home” on 2 July 1940, aged fifteen and a half. His attendance was “sponsored” by means of a bursary from a prosperous individual in the Uckfield area.
He was on leaving TS “MERCURY” due to study at RAF Cranwell, but this was cancelled due to the onset of war and advised to re-apply in a year, but this did not come about. In July 1940, Ron registered as a scholar at Military Camp at Maresfield, Sussexand worked as a Surveyor’s Assistant, followed by a stint in the drafting office. He was given an apprentice position when long term prospects became available in the Flax Mill in Buxted Park, East Sussex, installing plant and ventilation equipment, learning the application of tools, their usage and of technical documentation.
Subsequently, in 1941, Ron joined The Air Control Installation Works at South Ruislip and his work took him all over the country to Goole, Cumberland, Ripley and Luton installing heating and ventilating equipment. Then, in December 1943, Ron met Alma Foster, a Capstan Operator and they married on 16 August 1944. The following day, on 17 August 1944, Ron departed for Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow to join the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment).
Six weeks later, he departed again, to join the 52nd training regiment of The Royal Armoured Corps at Bordon, Hants. There he was designated as a driver/operator, to be trained as a crew member for armoured fighting vehicles and to gain competence in the use of standard wireless/transceiver and in the mechanics of tank engines, turrets and armament.
In June 1945 Alma advised she was pregnant but in July 1945, Ron was dispatched to Barnard Castle to join a draft bound for Burma via Poona, India, it being the main army depot for the British Army in India. There, he was allocated to the 3rd Dragoon Guards who were based in Ahmednagar and to be trained to join the Carbiniers in C squadron as a driver operator on Sherman Tanks, in preparation for a seaborne operation against the Japanese. That operation proved unnecessary due to the end of World War II, but that saw Ron remaining conscripted in the service of the Army until 1947 when he was discharged and thereupon returned to rejoin The Air Control Installation Company.
In post war years, Ron worked variously as an aircraft, mechanical and installation engineer as well as instrument maker employed by a variety of companies, including: Fairey Aviation; Ministry of Defence; Pye Dynamics; Sub Marine Company; British Gas; and Davy McKee
He attained membership of the Institute of Quality Assurance. Throughout his professional life, he was the dedicated engineer and in family life, the typical “Mr Fix It”, frequently messing about, together with his son, in car mechanics and repair.
During his working life, Ron and Alma lived in the north west of Greater London in Harrow, Stanmore and Eastcote, before, in 1984, retiring to Warsash. Sadly, Alma passed away in 2008.
Having time to enjoy in his long retirement, he was an active family historian researching his family roots in early 19th century Lincolnshire, where he visited the County Records Office on several occasions, converting his discoveries and life recollections into typed notes and memos. Throughout, he was an active gardener at home and read widely. Still today, he reads his daily copy of The Guardian!
In retirement, Ron enjoyed good health and was able to travel widely both in this country and abroad but in June 2020, he suffered a stroke when he then needed to leave his home in Warsash. However, he has recovered well and has lived in Abbey House Nursing Home since, still being mobile being aided by his trusty walker and remaining in daily contact with his family and with his friends also by iPhone and e mail via iPad.
Since coming to live in Warsash and at Abbey House, he has been able to visit Hamble very often and has often come to recollect his days at TS “MERCURY” which he says were very beneficial, being happy times and which helped him set personal discipline and order in his professional and family life.