Ronald Hoskins Romyn
Second Lieutenant Ronald Hoskins Romyn – Royal Sussex Regiment, 9th (formerly 3rd) Battalion
Ronald Hoskins Romyn served as a Second Lieutenant in
the Royal Sussex Regiment, 9th Battalion, at the time of his
death on 13th November 1940.
Ronald was born in 1908 at Firlands, Burgess Hill, Sussex, the youngest son of John Richard Romyn and Mabel Eleanor Dickson Selwyn, who were married in 1901 at St. Mary’s Church, Bathwick, Somerset. His father, originally from Durham, came from a family of means and is recorded in official documents as being of “private means,” suggesting an independent income rather than regular employment. His mother, Mabel, was born in Somerset and was part of the Selwyn family, who had longstanding connections in the Bath area.
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| 1911 Census |
The 1911 Census records the family living at their home, Firlands, Burgess Hill, Sussex. John, aged 53, was listed as living on private means, while Mabel, aged 40, managed the household and care of their three young sons. Their children were Leopold Dickson, aged 8; Keith Selwyn, aged 6; and Ronald Hoskins, aged 3. The family maintained a comfortable lifestyle, employing a governess, Louisa Delphine Evans, aged 31, to oversee the children’s education, along with three domestic servants — Pauleen Tye, aged 27; Ellen Davey, aged 19; and Florence May Burgers, aged 15.
Ronald’s early life would have been one of stability and
privilege, and it is likely that he attended a private preparatory school
before continuing his education at a public school. Although his exact
schooling record has not yet been traced, the Romyn family’s social status
and his later officer commission suggest a background typical of those
educated within Britain’s established middle and upper-middle classes of the
early twentieth century.
In 1939, Ronald married Dorothy M. Pentith. At
that time, Europe was on the brink of war, and the Territorial Army and regular
forces were rapidly expanding. Ronald soon joined the British Army and attended
an Officer Training Unit, where he received his commission as a Second
Lieutenant in the Royal Sussex Regiment on 22 June 1940.
He was initially posted to the regiment’s 9th Battalion,
joining them at Chichester on 5 July 1940 and being assigned to B
Company. The battalion moved to Ross-on-Wye shortly afterwards,
before being deployed to Mumbles, Swansea, in September 1940,
where they formed part of Britain’s coastal defence forces. During this
period, the threat of invasion was at its height following the fall of France,
and coastal units were responsible for defending vulnerable areas from
potential enemy landings. Officers such as Ronald were tasked with overseeing
training, discipline, and the readiness of men stationed in key defensive
positions.
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| South Wales Daily Post |
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| South Wales Daily Post |
Ronald died on 13th November 1940, aged
32. The South Wales Daily Post published two articles relating to
his death, which reported his service with the Royal Sussex Regiment and his
burial at Oystermouth Cemetery, Mumbles.
He was laid to rest in Section N, Grave 15, where his
headstone bears the inscription:
“Time passes but love endures.”
The choice of words reflects a personal tribute, most likely chosen by his
widow, Dorothy, expressing enduring affection and remembrance.
Commemoration
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| Ronald Hoskins Romyn Oystermouth Cemetery credit - findagrave |
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