Date of birth:

February 1st, 1916 (Amblecote/West Midlands, Great Britain)

Date of death:

November 14th, 1995

Service number:

70708

Nationality:

British

Ronald Wallens waseducated at Worksop College and joined the RAF on a short service commission in 1937 as a fighter pilot and the next year was posted to 41 Squadron at Catterick.
For actions during the Battle of Britain in September 1940 Wallens had five confirmed kills to his credit before he was shot down. During his prolonged convalescence at the RAF Rehabilitation Unit, Torquay, Wallens was much assisted by Dan Maskell, later known for his tennis commentaries, who ran the gymnasium. Wallens was then sent to No. 1 Aircraft Delivery Flight, Hendon, which he eventually commanded.
"Unfit for operational flying" in 1943 he was posted to 277 Air Sea Rescue Squadron at Hawkinge, Kent. The next year he took command.
In October 1946, Wallens transferred to the Administrative and Special Duties Branch.He left the RAF in 1949
After the war he worked in the motor trade and ran pubs and hotels. In 1988 he founded the Torbay Aircraft Museum.

Promotions:
9 August, 1937: Acting Pilot Officer on probation in class A Royal Air Force Reserve
31 May, 1938: Pilot Officer
7 October, 1938: short service commission as Pilot Officer on Probation
7 October, 1939: Pilot Officer
7 July, 1940: Flying Officer
7 July, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
1 July, 1943: Temporary Squadron Leader
4 October, 1946: Transfer to Administrative and Special Duties Branch
1 November, 1947: Temporary rank of Squadron Leader relinquished

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 277 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

August 15th, 1944

Citation:
"In the early phases of the war, Squadron Leader Wallens took part in a large number of sorties during which he destroyed at least 4 enemy aircraft. In combat in September, 1940, he was wounded in the leg by a cannon shell. Since his return to operational duties he has undertaken many air/sea rescue sorties and has been responsible for saving a number of personnel from the sea. He has set a splendid example of gallantry and devotion to duty."

• - Page 5389 | Issue 34429, 24 August 1937 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 4085 | Issue 34525, 24 June 1938 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 6504 | Issue 34562, 18 October 1938 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 7501 | Issue 34727, 7 November 1939 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 5092 | Supplement 34927, 20 August 1940 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 5423 | Issue 35279, 19 September 1941 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 3206 | Supplement 36092, 13 July 1943 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 3771 | Supplement 36656, 11 August 1944 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 5304 | Supplement 37770, 25 October 1946 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 5436 | Supplement 38125, 14 November 1947 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - The Battle of Britain London Monument