Ronald Richmond's Story.
Ronald Richmond Broun was born on 22nd June 1922 in Auckland New Zealand to parents Richmond and Francis Broun. He studied at Auckland Grammar School from 1935 until he enlisted in the RNZAF. He completed pilot training at Brandon, Manitoba in Canada on 28th August 1942 and transferred to UK for advanced training and deployment. In February 1944 he was with 81 OTU at RAF Sleap in Shropshire. On 15th February 1944 he took off in a Whitley bomber towing a Horsa glider on a glider tug training flight. Soon after takeoff he crashed killing all 5 crew. The cause of the crash was never determined but the weather at the time was very turbulent, and the glider pilot released the tow rope and made an emergency landing. Local witnesses reported smoke coming from one of the engines before the crash so that may have been a factor. He was buried at Blacon Cemetery and is commemorated on the Auckland Grammar School war memorial.
Accident Report 1
Accident Report 2
Accident Report 3
Accident Report 4
Local Police Report
Auckland Grammar School Memorial
81 OTU Whitleys at RAF Sleap
81 OTU Whitley towing Horsa across Shropshire countryside
Crash site Memorial