Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘1941’ Hampden pilot’s D.F.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant Pilot, later Squadron Leader, F. Ormonroyd, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 35 operational sorties with 50 Squadron by April 1941 - including an impromptu attack on the Tirpitz, 12/13 October 1940

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (742920. Sgt. F. Ormouroyd. [sic] R.A.F.) suspension slightly slack; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lt. F. Ormonroyd. R.A.F.V.R.) mounted for display, good very fine (6) £2,000-£2,400

D.F.M. London Gazette 6 June 1941, the original recommendation states:

‘Sergeant Ormanroyd [sic] has been 7 months in an operational Squadron, during which time he has completed 35 operational sorties in a flying time of 201 hours 30 minutes.

This non-commissioned officer’s operational record has been one of remarkable consistency. Many of his operational missions have been completed successfully notwithstanding severe Winter conditions. Throughout his period of service he has displayed a calm confident attitude, and no matter how strongly defended the allotted target, he could always be relied upon to press home his attack on his primary objective in the most courageous and efficient manner. He has been responsible for bringing back very good night photographs of the target area which themselves prove that he successfully reached his objective and penetrated the defences.

Sergeant Ormanroyd’s calm and confident demeanour, and his gallantry and devotion to duty have been of a very high order, and he has set a fine example to his own and all other aircrews in his Squadron.

On the 7th February, 1941, Sergeant Ormanroyd attacked the docks and shipping at Dunkirk from 4000 feet. His bombs were observed to burst across the docks causing large fires. After the release of his bombs, in spite of the intense anti-aircraft defences, he circled the area at 2000 feet and machine-gunned the searchlights. On the night of the 24th March, 1941, he attacked military objectives at Kiel. His bombs were observed to burst starting four fires which rapidly merged into one large conflagration which was visible for ten minutes after leaving the target.

It is considered that his services are well worthy of recognition.’

Frank Ormonroyd was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, in 1917. He was an undergraduate prior to joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1939. Ormonroyd was posted as a pilot for operational flying with 50 Squadron (Hampdens) at Lindholme, and by April 1941 he had flown in at least 35 sorties. The latter included: Ostend Harbour, 10/11 September 1940; Calais, 26 September 1940, when 1 of 7 aircraft detailed to bomb a barge concentration; Mannheim Marshalling Yards, 7 October 1940, when ‘this aircraft was one of three detailed to bomb... The aircraft was able to pin-point itself over the Rhine south of Coblenz and followed the river down to the target. On arrival over the target the attack was carried out from 10,000’ with 6 x 250lb G.P. bombs and incendiaries at 2155 hours, from N.W. to S.E. Orange and yellow flames were seen after the release of the bombs... heavy A.A. fire and searchlight and smoke haze over the area’ (Squadron Operations Record Book refers); Blohn and Voss Shipbuilding Yards, 12/13 October 1940, when ‘on arrival over the target area severe icing and bad weather generally was encountered and aircraft then proceeded to Wilhelmshaven to bomb the Tirpitz [5 other aircraft from the squadron had been detailed to attack her, with Ormonroyd’s crew detailed to attack the other target]. A high level attack was made with 6 x 250lb G.P. bombs and 60lbs of incendiaries’ (Ibid); Magedeburg Oil Plant, 15/16 October 1940; Texel Seaplane Base; Dusseldorf; Dunkirk; Gardening Operations throughout February 1941, including 21/22 February when ‘this aircraft was detailed to plant a Vegetable in the Jellyfish Area. The outward journey was uneventful. About 20 minutes before arrival in the Gardening Area flak could clearly be seen around Brest... The glide approach was made down to 2,000 feet when Aircraft found itself over Brest Harbour. Intense flak was encountered from all directions, and for 2 minutes the Aircraft was held in numerous searchlights. The allotted position was then located, and the Vegetable planted from 600 feet’ (Ibid); Cologne (2); Berlin; Gelsenkirchen Oil Plant; Kiel (2), and when Gardening 13/14 April 1941, ‘the wing bombs were dropped on the aerodrome at... Nantes, from 9000ft., it glided down 6000ft, and successfully planted the veg. The defences from the Ile de Re, and the mainland opened up with light flak and tracer and registered hits in the starboard wing and rear gunner’s cockpit’ (Ibid)

Ormonroyd subsequently advanced to Acting Squadron Leader, and was awarded his Air Efficiency Award in November 1945.