Ronald tried to enlist when he was seventeen and a half using the name Robert Beacroft but the authorities found out that he was under aged and he was discharged. When he reached the age when he could enlist he joined the Royal Rifles of Canada R.C.I.C. in the name of Ronald Robert Beacroft. He served overseas and was killed in action in Hong Kong on Friday 19th December 1941. He is remembered at the Sai Wan Memorial in Hong Kong.