World War II fighter pilot hero and long-time Cronulla RSL Sub-branch member, Ron Cundy has died aged 97.
Mr Cundy served in both the RAAF and the RAF, was mentioned in Dispatches and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Distinguished Flying Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty in bombing operations over Tobruk and the Middle East in 1943.
He was born William Ronald Cundy at Moonan Flat, 60km north-east of Scone, NSW in 1922.
According the Spitfire Association website, Mr Cundy was determined to become a pilot after viewing the landing of an aircraft with two pilots at Moonan Flat, when he was just six years old.
"At eighteen years of age, he attempted to persuade his parents to join the RAAF. It was only after some months that they accepted, and he was then allowed to enlist on the 19th October 1940 as an aircrew trainee under the Empire Air Training Scheme," the Spitfire Association's website states.
He trained on Tiger Moths at Narrandera and at 19 went to Canada to train on North American Harvards where he was awarded his wings and became a Sergeant Pilot. He was then sent to England for operational training on Hurricanes and posted to 135 Squadron RAF stationed at Honiley near Coventry.
During WWII he flew with RAF's 260 Squadron (part of Desert Air Force), and RAAF's 452 Squadron (defence of Darwin, 1943-1945).
In September, 1942, by chance, he and his father, George, who was then serving as a Captain with the 9th Division AIF met up in Alexandria for a very brief catch-up.
George was a World War I veteran of Gallipoli/1st Light Horse and rejoined for World War II.
During his World War II service, Ron Cundy flew Tomahawks, Kittyhawks and Spitfires, plus several (captured) German aircraft, including an Me109 (Messerschmitt Bf-109F), Heinkel 111 during time serving with the Desert Air Force (North Africa, 1941-1943).
He was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross), DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) and was MID (Mentioned in Despatches).
His DFM citation reads: "In the course of numerous operational sorties over enemy territory, Flight-Lieut. Cundy has shown fine qualities of leadership, keenness and determination."
He is credited as an "Ace" with five-and-a-half enemy aircraft shot down. The 'half' was shared with another pilot.
He met Gwen Walsh, from Coogee in early 1942 and they married on September 30, 1944. They had three children, Pam, Diane and Karen.
After the war, Mr Cundy worked at the Register General's Department, among other areas, and eventually as State Electoral Commissioner for NSW, retiring in 1982.
He belonged to the Spitfire Association.
A long-time resident of Cronulla, Mr Cundy was recently living in aged care at Wesley Village, Sylvania. He died on Monday, July 22.
Gwen passed away three months ago, on April 21.
Mr Cundy is survived by his daughters and their families including nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
His funeral will be held at St. Paul's Church of England Church, Menai at 11am Monday, August 5.
