Ronald was wounded in action on 12 October 1917 during fighting in the Battle of Passchendaele. He was one of five brothers who served in the war. Brothers Francis Randal (Frank) and Vivian Herbert also served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Frank was wounded in action during the Battle of Messines and Herbert lost his life on 15 September 1916, the first day of the Battle of Flers Courcelette, part of the Somme offensive.
Ronald later died of his wounds and is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking, England.