Hallett, Ronald Tom Died
Personal Information
| Rank | Sgt |
| Forename(s) | Ronald Tom |
| Surname | Hallett |
| Gender | M |
| Age | 19 |
| Date of Death | 23-09-1944 |
| Next of Kin | Son of Harry John Richard Hallett (a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy) and Marguerite Bessie Hallett, of Chichester. |
Aircraft Information
| Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
| Serial Number | PB242 |
| Markings | AS-E |
Memorial Information
| Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
| Burial/Memorial Place | Chichester Cemetery |
| Grave Reference | Square 159. C. of E. Plot. Grave 23. |
| Epitaph | IN PROUD REMEMBRANCE OF OUR RON. "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS (john 15:13) |
IBCC Memorial Information
| Phase | 1 |
| Panel Number | 44 |
Enlistment Information
| Service Number | 1602270 |
| Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
| Group | 1 |
| Squadron | 166 |
| Squadron Motto | Tenacity |
| Trade | Air Gunner |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
| Location | Terminal Building, Humberside Airport, Lincolnshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Air Ministry WWII Bell & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
| Memorial Text | To commemorate the aircrew of 166 Sqn RAF who were killed in action flying from RAF Kirmington during WW2 |
| Location | Adjacent to Terminal Building, Humberside Airport, Lincolnshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Info Board & Inscribed Stone Monument |
| Memorial Text | In memory of the aircrew from many nations who flew with 166 Sqn RAF who were killed in action flying from RAF Kirmington during WW2 |
| Location | Memorial Gardens, Kirmington, Lincolnshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Plaques |
| Memorial Text | Memorials to those who served on 166 Sqn flying from RAF Kirminton during WW2, including those who flew on Op MANNA |
| Location | St. Helena's Church, Kirmington, Lincolnshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window, Inscribed Metal Plaque & Roll of Honour |
| Memorial Text | In memory of the members of 166 Sqn RAF who flew from RAF Kirmington during WW2 and did not return |
| Location | In front of the mess esplanade, Mailly-le-Camp, 10 - Aube Prefecture |
| Country | France |
| Memorial Type | Stone memorial sculpture, inscribed marble tablets and inscribed metal plaque |
| Memorial Text |
En souvenir des heros de la RAF. Qui ont participe au bombardment du camp de Mailly. Unites de la RAF engagees dans le raid sur Mailly-le-Camp, la nuit du 3 au 4 May 1944. N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617- 619-625-626-627-644
Translation "In memory of the RAF heroes who took part in the bombing of Mailly Camp. RAF units engaged in the raid on Mailly-le-Camp, the night of 3-4 May 1944. Squadrons that took part: N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617-619-625-626-627-644" |
Miscellaneous Information
| Educated at Chichester High School for Boys and in March 1941 joined 461 (Chichester) Air Training Corps. He enlisted the following January. Posted to 166 Squadron in August 1944, together with the rest of his crew, and this was their fourth operation with 166. |
The National Archives
| Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1089/43 |
| Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1089/43 |
Last Operation Information
| Start Date | 23-09-1944 |
| End Date | 24-09-1944 |
| Takeoff Station | Kirmington |
| Day/Night Raid | Night (35% moon) |
| Operation | Neuss |
| Reason for Aircraft Loss | Severely damaged in a running battle with a Ju88 which attacked from astern and whose cannon shells damaged the wireless set and knocked out the hydraulics, putting both gun turrets out of action. The rear gunner was killed and the navigator Sgt. Francis Cridge and the wireless operator P/O Clifford Edwards were badly injured. Despite his injuries, Sgt. Cridge assisted the pilot in regaining the English coastline where it successfully crash-landed at RAF Manston in Kent. The aircraft was later written off. The skipper S/L Tom Rippingdale and the mid-upper gunner Sgt. D. Lewington attended Ronald's funeral in Chichester. |