TOWNSEND Ronald Reginald

Ronald Townsend was born on 4th June 1917. He entered Form 2 Kings School on 22nd September 1928 when his home address was recorded as Abberley View, Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire. Ronald had previously been educated at Lower Broadheath Elementary School. Ronald left Kings School from Form U5 in December 1934 and took employment as a bank clerk.

The following report appears in Berrow’s Worcester Journal, Saturday 2nd October 1943:
Funeral of Flight Sgt. Townsend
N.F.S. Guard of Honour
The funeral service took place at Broadheath Church on Thursday of Flight-Sergt. Navigator Ronald Reginald Townsend, aged 26, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Townsend of Lower Broadheath, who was killed on active service.
Flight-Sergt. Townsend was educated at the King’s School. As a youth he was interested in athletics and especially in boxing and was one of the pupils attending Jack Horton’s gymnasium. He was in the Birmingham Fire Brigade when war broke out, but volunteered for the R.A.F. and did part of his training in Canada.
The funeral was conducted by the Vicar of Broadheath (Rev. G. Crofts) and Mrs. L. Boas was at the organ. Members of the Birmingham N.F.S. acted as bearers and also provided a guard of honour.
The report continues with details of family mourners, others present and who wreaths were received from. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Burman Bros., 40, Hylton Road, Worcester.
The report includes a photo of Ronald Townsend.