Ronald Albert Archer was born in 1918, son of Frederick Albert and Maud Archer. He was married to Dorothy C. Archer, and they lived in Harrow, Middlesex. From 1929 till 1934 he went to school at the Harrow County School. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1940.

Sgt Archer became an air gunner and was posted to 7 squadron, flying out of Oakington.

His crew consisted of:

Pilot P/O George Frederick Sanderson, from Avonlea, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Second pilot P/O Leslie James Harcus from Orkney
Flight Engineer Sgt Sydney Walstead Precious from  Glengarnock, Ayrshire.
Navigator Sgt Wilfred Frank Morgan from Cricklewood, Middlesex.

7 Sqn RAF

Wireless operator Ronald Albert Archer from Harrow, Middlesex.
Air gunner Sgt Richard Armstrong from Burradon, Northumberland.
Air gunner Sgt Basil Sydney Brown from Boston, Lincolnshire
Air Gunner F/S Sydney Victor Harding from Lewisham, London.

In the evening of 2/3 June 1942, this crew took off in Stirling I W7500 MG-B for a mission to Essen. They took off at 23.50 on the 2nd from their base Oakington. On the way to target, they were shot down by a German night fighter piloted by Major Gunther Radusch of 11/NJG2. It crashed into the North Sea, off the Dutch coast.

Only two of the crew were recovered. Sgt Archer rests at Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery. Sgt Armstrong's body washed ashore on the coast of Vlieland and is buried on that Dutch island. The others are still missing and are commemorated at the Runnymede memorial.

See Also:
P/O George Frederick Sanderson
P/O Leslie James Harcus
Sgt Sydney Walstead Precious
Sgt Wilfred Frank Morgan
Sgt Ronald Albert Archer
Sgt Richard Armstrong
Sgt Basil Sydney Brown
F/S Sydney Victor Harding

Sources:
Mr. Dave Cheetham
CWGC
7 Squadron Association

Acknowledgements:
RAF Squadron crest © Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

Directions to Amsterdam New Easter Cemetery

Posted 3 October 2005

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This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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