Ronald Berry

Fighting Spitfires from Britain to the skies of North Africa

Air Commodore Ronald “Ras” Berry CBE, DSO, DFC and Bar rose from Hull’s municipal offices to become a decorated Spitfire ace and senior Royal Air Force commander. During the Battle of Britain and the North African campaign, he combined aggressive flying with the growing responsibilities of squadron and wing leadership.

Born in Hull on 3 May 1917, Berry attended Riley High School and Hull Technical Institute before joining the City Treasurer’s Department. He entered the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in April 1937, learning to fly at Brough and gaining additional experience with Hull Aero Club. A short attachment to No. 66 Squadron in February 1939 introduced him to the Spitfire before wartime mobilisation transformed his civilian enthusiasm into operational service.

Berry joined No. 603 Squadron at Turnhouse in October 1939 and was commissioned that December. Following patrols over Scotland, the squadron moved to Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain. On 31 August 1940, he was credited with destroying three Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. His Distinguished Flying Cross, gazetted on 25 October, recognised determined attacks at close range and skilful section leadership.

After serving as a fighter controller at Turnhouse, Berry took command of No. 81 Squadron in January 1942. He led its Spitfires on offensive operations over occupied Europe before deploying to North Africa for Operation Torch. On 8 November 1942, the squadron reached Maison Blanche airfield in Algeria and entered combat the following day.

His responsibilities expanded during the Tunisian campaign. Appointed wing leader of No. 322 Wing in January 1943, he assumed command of the wing in March. A Bar to his DFC was gazetted on 2 March, followed by the Distinguished Service Order on 1 June. These awards recognised his operational leadership, courage and organisational ability.

Berry’s wartime record is commonly summarised as 14 enemy aircraft destroyed individually and ten shared, with probable victories, damaged aircraft and ground successes recorded separately. He reportedly completed 412 Spitfire missions, a figure encompassing operational sorties rather than 412 separate air battles.

Returning to Britain in 1943, Berry moved into training and staff appointments. His postwar career included command of RAF Acklington, work in fighter development, and command of No. 543 Squadron flying Vickers Valiants. Later appointments extended into Bomber Command and national air traffic control.

Appointed OBE in 1946 and advanced to CBE in 1965, he reached air commodore in January 1966. He also represented the Battle of Britain generation in Winston Churchill’s funeral procession. Berry retired on 29 January 1969 and settled in Hornsea, East Yorkshire. He died in 2000, aged 83, leaving a record of distinguished combat flying followed by decades of leadership in the changing postwar RAF.