Born
13 May 1916 in Bradford. By 1939 he was living with his parents at 294 , Fitzroy
Drive , Oakwood , Leeds. Aged 23 he was working as a salesman in the motor parts
trade.
He enlisted, June
1940, trained as a bomber pilot; commissioned April 1941.
Ronald
wrote a contemporary account of joining 106 Squadron at RAF Coninsby and of his
first mission as a rookie pilot with 106 squadron which was quite eventful. Flying
a twin engined Handley Page Hampden bomber on a raid to Aachen they were attacked
by a Me 110 fighter which they shot down, and their brand new aircraft was found
to be so badly damaged on landing that it was a write off. ( see
Story
of the Month Mar 2024 , The New Boy)
After a short spell
flying Avro Manchesters in 1942 the squadron was re-equipped with Avro Lancasters.
The CO in 1942 was Guy Gibson.
He
was awarded the DFC in 13 Feb 1942 
HARDY, Ronald James, P/O,
(63461, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve) - No.106 Squadron - Distinguished Flying
Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 13 February 1942.
As captain of aircraft, this officer has carried out a number of sorties including
attacks on important industrial centres and dockyards. He has performed excellent
work, being consistently successful in completing his allotted task. On his first
sortie, Pilot Officer Hardy shot down an enemy aircraft which attempted to attack.
One night in October he was detailed to attack the aerodrome at Schipol, and despite
exceptionally unfavourable weather, he succeeded in locating his objective which
he bombed from a height of only 700 feet. This officer has displayed great steadiness
and reliability and has not once failed to complete a mission.
In
his subsequent wartime career Ronald Hardy was:
Promoted
to Acting Squadron Leader
Mentioned in Dispatches
8 June 1944 
Awarded
the Air Force Cross 1 Sept 1944 
Promoted
to acting Wing Commander.
He
was still showing in July 1945 Air Force List (as War Substantive Squadron Leader
with seniority 18.08.1944). He was not showing at CWGC website, so he most likely
survived the war.
I have no information on his post
war career.