Roald Dahl's country of origin is in the United Kingdom.
Roald Dahl ( [ langpronˈroʊ.əld _ ˈdɑːl ] , [ ˈɾuːɑl dɑl ] ; 13 September 1916 -- 23 November 1990 ) was a British novelist , short story writer , poet , screenwriter , and fighter pilot . Born in Wales to Norwegian parents , Dahl served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War , in which he became a flying ace and intelligence officer , rising to the rank of acting wing commander . The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , commonly known as the United Kingdom ( UK ) or Britain , is a sovereign country in western Europe . Wales ( [ ˈweɪlz ] Cymru [ ˈkəm.rɨ ] ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain .