Ronald was born on 8 February 1912 in Paddington, London to Polish born father Adolph, a cloth and wool merchant, and London born mother Ettie nee Hyam and he had an older brother William and a younger sister Eva. Eva married George Dale who died serving in Bomber Command and is buried in Germany. Dale, George Raynor | Remembering the Jews of WW2

In 1921, Ronald and his brother William were boarding at Heathfield College in Parkstone, Dorset whilst Eva was living at home with her parents. Ronald attested in 1938 and became a Second Lieutenant in January 1942.

Ronald died at The Military Hospital, in Shaftesbury, Dorset and his death certificate states that he died from secondary shock following gunshot wounds sustained by misadventure whilst on duty at a military exercise.