Ronald was born in April 1923 in Hackney, London to Russian born Michael and Annie nee Cooper and he had two younger siblings Zena and Malcolm. Their father worked as a fur cutter.

Ronald was the wireless operator on Anson DG972 which departed RAF Bishops Court in Northern Ireland. The aircraft crashed in the sea west of Stranraer killing all four crew.

Pilot, Frank Campbell Bushfield R/100846, RCAF.
LAC, Alan Roy Victor Hudson 1812681
U/T Navigator, George Charles Scarlett 1805955