Date of birth:

May 6th, 1914 (Wantsworth/London, Great Britain)

Service number:

1319438 (NCO)/120886 (Officer)

Nationality:

British

During the War Ronald Instrell completed 33 operational sorties with No. 431 Squadron.
After the war he was posted to several RAF units among which RAF Lindholme, Headquarters of No.62 Group, Empire Air Armament School and the Radar Reconnaissance Flight at R.A.F. Benson, operating in Lincoln aircraft.

Promotions:
1925-1929 Cadet Corps Winchester
Training as Aircrafthand/Observer
27 May, 1941 Leading Aircraft Man
2 April, 1942: Acting Corporal
16 May, 1942: Pilot Officer on Probation (emergency)
16 May, 1944: Flying Officer (war sub)
? Flight lieutenant
1 July, 1946: Appointment as Flying Officer (permanent)
2 July, 1946: Flight Lieutenant
1 July, 1955: Squadron Leader
21 September, 1958: reitirement

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 431 (Iroquois) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

March 23rd, 1945

Recommendation (drafted on 9th December 1944):
"Flight Lieutenant Instrell has completed 32 operational sorties against the enemy as an Air Bomber, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Leipzig, as well as targets over the Ruhr and minelaying. Regardless of opposition and adverse weather conditions, he has repeatedly pressed home the attacks by directing his aircraft onto the most difficult targets, showing at all times courage of the highest order. On 12th March 1943, whilst attacking Essen, his navigator was killed by flak and the aircraft severely crippled. Flight Lieutenant Instrell took over the navigation and was responsible for the aircraft’s safe return to a friendly base. On many other occasions, this officer has been instrumental in extricating his crew from perilous situations, thereby proving a shining example of courage and fortitude to the whole squadron."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "FRANCE AND GERMANY" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

June 1st, 1953

For his service with the Radar Reconnaissance Flight, experimenting with H2S rader.

• - The London Gazette Publication date:31 July 1942 Supplement:35654Page:3415
  - The London Gazette Publication date:30 May 1944 Supplement:36541Page:2530
  - The London Gazette Publication date:20 March 1945 Supplement:36997Page:1597
  - The London Gazette Publication date:14 November 1947 Supplement:38125Page:5424
  - The London Gazette Publication date:19 December 1947 Supplement:38153Page:6085
  - The London Gazette Publication date:26 May 1953 Supplement:39863Page:2952
  - The London Gazette Publication date:28 June 1955 Supplement:40524Page:3787
  - The London Gazette Publication date:26 September 1958 Supplement:41509Page:5966
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