Ronald William's Story.
Ronald William Barlow was the son of Edmund and Ada Barlow of Stockport, Cheshire. Prior to the war he studied at Stockport Grammar School then Brasenose College Oxford University where he was awarded a BA (Honours) degree. He was president and captain of the Lacrosse team in 1937. Prior to the war and after graduation from Oxford he worked for the Colonial Office in London. After the start of the war, he volunteered for RAF aircrew duties and was accepted for Observer/ Navigator training. Following completion of his training he joined 115 Squadron as a Navigator in Wellington bombers.Ronald’s final mission
Sixteen aircraft (7 from "A" Flight and 9 from "B" Flight) including Ronald in Wellington X3596 piloted by AE Holder took off between 2144 and 2304 to attack Essen. All crews found weather to be fair over the target and bombing from heights ranging between 14000 and 16500 feet bombed by TR Fix and Visual Observations, some of which were observed to burst in the target area causing several fires.Other bombs were released on the target but no results were seen. Leaflets were dropped and photographs attempted. Seven of the aircraft were damaged by Flak and one, Ronald’s , did not return.
115 Squadron roster for 12/13 April 1942
Operation record 12th April 1942
It was later determined that X3596 was shot down over Holland as it was returning from Essen. They were shot down at approximately 1am by a BF110 night fighter flown by Helmut Woltersdorf of 7/NJG based at Twente.. All six crew were killed and buried at Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery.
115 Squadron Wellington
Brasenose college roll of honour
Wreck of X3596 with Helmut Woltersdorf's photo
Loss card for X3596
Ronald's grave
Crash location