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Kellett, Ronald Gustave

    Date of birth:
    September 13th, 1909 (Eldon-Bishop Auckland/Durham, Great Britain)
    Date of death:
    November 12th, 1998
    Service number:
    90082, Royal Auxiliary Air Force
    Nationality:
    British (1801-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    Roland Kellett entered service with No. 600 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force in 1933. Later he was transferred to No. 616 Squadron RAF.

    During the Battle of Britain, Kellett served with No. 249 Squadorn RAF and after this was given command over No. 303 (Polish) Squadron.
    In the later stages of the war he served in several staff functions.
    According to the known facts he has five victories to his name, besides that two more probably and one damaged.

    Ronald Kellett was appointed Squadron Leader of No 615 Squadron (County of Surrey) on September 17th, 1946.

    Promotions:
    ?: Pilot Officer;
    September 20th, 1935: Flying Officer;
    July 1st, 1938: Flight Lieutenant;
    June 7th, 1940: temporary Squadron Leader;
    December 1st, 1941: temporary Wing Commander;
    ?: Squadron Leader.

    Career:
    1934 - 1939: Pilot No. 600 Squadron Auxiliairy Air Force;
    January 30th, 1939 - May 16th, 1940: Pilot No. 616 Squadron;
    May 16th, 1940 - June 1940: Flight Leader No. 249 Squadron;
    June 1940 - July 19th, 1940: Commanding Officer No. 249 Squadron;
    July 19th, 1940 - December 17th, 1940: Commanding Officer No. 303 Squdron;
    December 17th, 1940 - March 1941: Commanding Officer No. 96 Squadron;
    March 14th, 1941 - July 17th, 1941: Commanding Officer North Waeld;
    July 17ht, 1941 - December 31st, 1942: Air Minitstry;
    December 31st, 1942 - May 6th, 1943: Army Staff College;
    Jne 25th, 1943 - 1945: Staff College Instructor, Ankara Turkey;
    August 1st, 1946 - October 1st, 1948: Commanding Officer No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron;
    October 1st, 1948: Transfer to Reserves;
    October 1st, 1953: Retirement.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Squadron Leader
    Unit:
    No. 303 (Kosciuszko) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    October 1st, 1940
    Citation:
    "By his excellent example and personality this officer has been largely responsible for the succes of his squadron which in one week destroyed thirty-three enemy aircraft, of which Squadron Leader Kellett has destroyed three. His leadership and determination in attacking superior numbers of enemy aircraft have instilled the greatest confidence in other pilots of his squadron."

    Published in The London Gazette, 1 October 1940.
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Squadron Leader
    Unit:
    No. 303 (Kosciuszko) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    October 25th, 1940
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Citation:
    "Squadron Leader Kellettt as commander of his squadron has built up and trained his personnel to such a fine fighting pitch that no fewer than 113 enemy aircraft have been destroyed in the space of one month, with very few casualties sustained by his squadron. He has frequently led the wing formation with judgment and success. The gallantry and fine leadership displayed by Squadron Leader Kellett have proved an inspiring exemple."

    Published in The London Gazette, Issue 35060, dated Friday 25 October 1940.
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Squadron Leader
    Unit:
    No. 96 Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    January 1st, 1941
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Squadron Leader
    Unit:
    No. 303 (Kosciuszko) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    January 31st, 1941
    Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari - Krzyz Srebrny

    Sources

    • Photo 1: Kellett family
    • - The London Gazette, Issue 34221, dated 19th November 1935
      - The London Gazette, Issue 34547, dated 2nd September 1938
      - The London Gazette, Issue 35060, dated 7th June 1940
      - The London Gazette, Issue 34958, dated 1st October 1940
      - The London Gazette, Issue 35060, dated 25 October 1940
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 31st December 1940, Issue 35029, dated 1st January 1941
      - The London Gazette, Issue 35060, dated 31st January 1941
      - The London Gazette, Issue 35383, dated 16th December 1941
      - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 6th August 1943, Issue 36127, dated 10th August 1943
      - Supplement to The London Gazette, 13th September 1946, Issue 37724, datad 17th September 1946
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 14th January 1949, Issue 38514, dated 18th January 1949
      - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 9th April 1954, Issue 40144, dated 13th April 1954
      - Ciel de Gloire

    Photo