Background
Thornely was born in Merton Hall, Cambridge, England, the son of Thomas Thornely (1855–1949), a historian, poet and Fellow of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and his wife Mabel Martha Thornely.
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Ronald Thornely
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He was credited with nine aerial victories while flying for the Royal Naval Air Service. Thornely was commissioned as a temporary sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 12 December 1914. He served in the Royal Naval Armoured Carolina Division during the Gallipoli Campaign.
In May 1916, he transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service, being confirmed as a flight sub-lieutenant on 5 May, and granted Royal Aeronautical Club Aviator"s Certificate Number.
3290 after soloing a Maurice Farman biplane at the Royal Naval Air Station, Chingford, on 29 July 1916. He joined Number. 8 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service in March 1917, gaining his first aerial victory on 4 June, and then two more before being promoted to flight lieutenant on 30 June.
Two more victories followed in July, three in August, and his ninth and last on 11 September. His citation read:
Flight Lieutenant Ronald Roscoe Thornley, Royal Naval Air Service. "Foreign gallantry and skill in aerial combats, notably on the following occasions:
On the 16th June, 1917, whilst on patrol, he attacked a two-seater Aviatik, which fell to the ground, inside our lines.
On the 15th August, 1917, he attacked an Albatross scout and shot it down out of control.
On the 19th August, 1917, he attacked an Aviatik and drove it down out of control. On the 11th September, 1917, he engaged one of three enemy machines, firing about fifty rounds when quite close, apparently wounding the observer at once, and shortly afterwards the enemy machine fell out of control."
Thornley was promoted to the temporary rank of captain on 7 May 1918. Thornely received a mention in dispatches "for distinguished service in war areas" on 1 January 1919, and was transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force on 1 March 1919.
Thornely died on 21 August 1984, and is buried at Putney Vale Cemetery, London.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
April 29, 1949 (aged 59) -
Nationality
United Kingdom