RALPH SKELTON WOOLASS (1917 - 1942)
Ignem mortemque despuimus - 'We spit fire and
death'
| Name: | WOOLASS, RALPH SKELTON |
| Nationality: | United Kingdom |
| Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Regiment: | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
| Unit Text: | 234 Squadron. |
| Age: | 24 |
| Date of Death: | 16/04/1942 |
| Service No: | 102073 |
| Additional information: | Son of Stanley and Jessie Gertrude Woolass, of North Anston, Yorkshire. |
| Casualty Type: | Commonwealth War Dead |
| Grave/Memorial Reference: | Panel 72. |
| Cemetery: | RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL |
The RAF website states the following about the role of 234 Squadron during the Second World War
On 30 October 1939, No 234 was reformed at Leconfield as a fighter squadron. Originally intended for shipping protection duties, it flew a mixture of Blenheims, Battles and Gauntlets until March 1940, when it began to receive Spitfires, becoming operational on 11 May. Throughout the Battle of Britain, it was based in southern England and in April 1941 began sweeps over northern France. These continued between defensive patrols until January 1943, when it moved to the Orkney Islands, returning south in June. After covering the invasion beaches in Normandy, No.234 converted to Mustangs and began long range escort missions from East Anglia. A few days before the end of the war, the squadron moved to northern Scotland to escort strike Wings operating along the Norwegian coast, but returned to East Anglia in July to convert to Spitfires. These were flown until replaced by Meteors in February 1946, but on 1 September 1946 the squadron was renumbered 266 Squadron.
Ralph first came to my attention when I researched and posted an article on the Pickard family and Charles Pickard. I discovered that Ralph was a cousin of "Pic" Pickard. Here a few notes on Ralph that I have been able to collect
Notes
Ralph's name is on the war memorial that is situated in the Lych Gate of the local church in North Anston - North Anston is to the north of Dinnington in South Yorkshire. Today it is largely a commuter base for Sheffield, Worksop and Rotherham, and is in effect a collection of suburban housing estates. The picturesque "old village" at the south-east of the village retains its green and the village wells. The surrounding landscape contains several disused quarries: the plantations to the east, and Greenlands Park to the west being prime examples.
In May 2008 I received the following information from a person who was researching the WOOLASS family history - The birth of Ralph Skelton Woolass was registered in October or November or December 1917 in the Sheffield registration district. Ralph has at least one brother, Peter Woolass. Birth registered in July or August or September 1920 in the Sheffield registration district. Their parents are Stanley and Jessie Gertrude Woolass nee Skelton. They married in January or February or March 1916 in the Sheffield registration district. The birth of Stanley Woolass was registered in October or November or December 1892 in the Barnsley registration district. If anyone can add to this please let me know
Ralph was a pupil at King Edwards V11 Grammar School in Sheffield between 1926 - 1934. In the School magazine dated July 1942, he is listed simply as "missing". The March 1944 edition gives an "Old Edwardians Roll of Service" and Ralph is now listed as "Missing - Killed on Active Service." The December 1945 edition has a "final" Roll of Service" for those who served in the war. Under the phrase "NOBIS MEMINISSE RELICTUM" (Trans "Left behind as a memory for us") Ralph is "believed killed in action April 1942".
He was in fact flying a Spitfire Mk Vb, serial number AR374 when he was shot down by Messerschmitt Bf109s off Cap de la Hague, - the north west corner of the Cherbourg Peninsular in France.
As a footnote an earlier edition of the School magazine - December 1934 - laments the fact that "Woolass" had left the string section of the School Orchestra. As this ties in with the year that Ralph left the school it is a safe assumption that Ralph was also a musician
There is a memorial to Ralph at
ROYAL STAR AND GARTER HOME
RICHMOND HILL
RICHMOND
GREATER LONDON
ENGLAND
Type LAMP OR LIGHTING OS Map Ref TQ 184738
THE LIGHTING OF THESE WINDOWS/WAS PRESENTED BY MRS STANLEY WOOLASS/IN MEMORY OF HER SON/PILOT OFFICER RAPLH SKELTON WOOLASS/WHO WAS LOST OVER THE CHANNEL 16 APRIL 1942
Sources
King Edward School magazines - Dec 34, July 42, March 44 & December 45.
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This page was last updated on 26/07/10 13:26