Ronald Fryer

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Hayward's Heath branch

Died: 25 November 1943

Ronald Joseph Fryer was born on 19 April 1917, the son of Elsie and Frederick Thomas Fryer. He was educated at Ilfracombe Secondary School before joining the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at Winchester branch in September 1935. He was promoted to junior clerk in February 1936 and to clerk in January 1938. He  moved to Hayward’s Heath branch in April 1939. 

Outside work Fryer was a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and on the outbreak of the war in 1939 Fryer was mobilised for active service. He served as a bomber pilot and took part in many operational flights over Germany. From 1942 Fryer worked largely as an instructor. On 25 November 1943 Warrant Officer Fryer was on a night training exercise in a Wellington Bomber in Leicestershire when one of the engines caught fire, causing the aircraft to crash. Fryer was killed, along with five fellow crewmen. He was 26 years old.