Ronald Graham (RAF officer)

Air Vice Marshal Ronald Graham, CB, CBE, DSO, DSC & Bar, DFC (19 July 1896 – 23 June 1967) was a First World War flying ace of the Royal Naval Air Service. Remaining in the Royal Air Force after that war, he rose to the rank of air vice marshal during the Second World War.^[1]

First World War

Graham was a medical student when the First World War began. In 1915, he joined the Royal Naval Division. In September, he pulled a lateral transfer into the Royal Naval Air Service as a flight sub-lieutenant. In 1916, he served at the Dover Seaplane Base. He then moved to Dunkirk, flying cover for the North Sea Fleet. During this time, he was forced into landing in the sea on two occasions. He became part of the Saint Pol Seaplane Defence Flight,^[2] which formed on 30 June 1917.^[3] Graham tallied his first two victories at this time, destroying a German seaplane on 19 June while piloting a Sopwith Baby, and another while piloting a Sopwith Pup on 12 August 1917; the latter was shared with Leonard Slatter.^[1][2]

His unit morphed into No. 13 Squadron RNAS, sometimes referred to as 13 Naval Squadron. He switched to Sopwith Camels for his next three victories. He shared number three with Slatter, on 15 September, and destroyed two more, one each on 25 September and 19 October 1917. Then, on 29 December, while showboating for his nurse girlfriend, he crashed and seriously injured himself. After his convalescence, he returned to his squadron, which was now No. 213 Squadron RAF, and took command in May 1918.^[2] In total he was credited with five aerial victories.

Second World War

On the outbreak of the Second World War, Graham was an air commodore on the staff at the headquarters of Fighter Command.

Award citations

Distinguished Service Cross

Flight Sub-Lieutenant Ronald Grahame, R.N.A.S.

For exceptional gallantry in attacking and beating off four enemy seaplanes whilst on escort duty off the Belgian coast on the 22nd September, 1916.^[4]

Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross

Flight Lieutenant Ronald Grahame, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.

For conspicuous gallantry during raids on the seaplane station at Zeebrugge. On one occasion he descended to 600 feet, and on another occasion to 300 feet, before releasing his bombs.^[5]

Distinguished Service Order

Acting Flight Lieutenant-Commander Ronald Graham, D.S.C., R.N.A.S

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in air fights and bombing raids. Since the award of a bar to the Distinguished Service Cross, Act. Flt. Cdr. Graham has carried out five night bombing raids, and attacked and brought down three enemy seaplanes. On one occasion he ascended at night for the purpose of attacking hostile machines, notwithstanding the fact that he had only returned a few hours previously from a successful action with hostile aircraft in superior numbers. He has always displayed remarkable skill and courage.^[6]

Notes

References

• Sturtivant, Ray; Page, Gordon & Cronin, Dick (1992). Royal Navy aircraft serials and units 1911 to 1919. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 978-0-85130-191-4. 
• Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9. 
• Barass, M. B. (2015). "Air Vice-Marshal R. Graham". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation.