The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R T Ware

Ralph Taverham Ware was born on 20th August 1914 in West Ham, the son of Sidney Harold and Alice Jane Ware.

His family came from the village of Taverham in Norfolk and he was named after it.

He joined the RAF about April 1933 as an Aircrafthand and later trained as a photographer. At some time he applied for pilot training and was selected.

On 31st August 1939 Ware was serving with 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill. He joined 3 Squadron in France on 14th May 1940. The squadron was withdrawn to Kenley on the 20th.

Ware served with 3 Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain and was posted away to 501 Squadron at Kenley on 2nd December 1940.

In early 1941 Ware was posted to the Middle East. On 18th April he joined 112 Squadron, operating Gladiators, in Greece. On 5th May he intercepted a high-flying SM79 and claimed it as destroyed, this was confirmed by army observers on the ground. The squadron was withdrawn from Crete to Fayid, Egypt in May.

Ware was promoted to Warrant Officer on 1st October 1941 and commissioned in June 1943.

He was killed on 21st January 1945 as a Flying Officer with No. 1 OADU Transit Flight. Mosquito NFXIX TA439 crashed off the Scilly Islands in bad weather, possibly due to icing. W/O Edwin J Goudie was also lost.

Ware was 30 and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 268.

He received a Mention in Despatches.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.