Operation: Circus 6

Date: 05th March 1941 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 610 Squadron ' City of Chester (motto: Alifero tollitur axe ceres: - 'Ceres rising in a winged chariot') 11 Group (1)

Type: Spitfire IIa

Serial: P7596

Code: DW-E

Base: RAF Westhampnett, West Sussex (Satellite station of RAF Tangmere)

Location: Captured in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

Pilot: P/O. Michael Cyril hWilder Ormond 88465 RAF Age 20. PoW No. 451 Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan *

* Homemark Hospital, Frankfurt-on-Maine 41 Mar-May 1941
Dulag Luft, Frankfurt-on-Maine 5/5/41-19/5/1941
Dulag Luft, Frankfurt-on-Maine 5/5/41-19/5/1941
Staglag Luft I, Barth May/41- Apr 1942
Staglag Luft 3, Sagan Apr/42 -Jan/194545
Marlag Hilag-Nord, Tarmstedt Jan/1945 - Apr/45

Are you able to assist us with details of Michael Ormond early death at 43?

REASON FOR LOSS:

From December 1940 through August 1941, No. 610 Squadron was based at RAF Westhampnett a satellite airfield of the Tangmere sector station near Chichester on the Sussex coast, right on the front line for cross-Channel offensive operations under No. 11 Group.

From February 1941 through July 1941, the squadron was equipped with Supermarine Spitfire IIA and IIB. This means 05th March 1941 falls precisely in the period when the squadron had just transitioned from its older Spitfire Is to the more powerful Mk IIA, with a Merlin XII engine and 8 × .303 machine guns. The IIB variant added two 20mm Hispano cannon.

During the operation the squadron was attacked by Bf109's of JG51. Sgt. Samuel Hamer 758049 RAFVR was hit but managed to fly through aircraft back to England. Tragically he was killed during a forced landing at Wilmington, Dartford, Kent, the aircraft was repaired and returned to service.

P/O. Nigel Drever 42205 RAF flying Spitfire IIa P8027 was shot down and captured PoW No. 451 as was Fl/Lt. Cyril Ormond 88465 RAF flying Spitfire 39327 PoW No: 39327. Sadly P/O. Raymond Owen 88466 RAF was listed as missing - believed killed when his Spitfire P7752 DW-N fell into the channel.

A truly tragic day for 610 squadron.

Above PoW's at Stalag Luft Sagan. Fl/Lt. Ormond is shown as No. 7. For details of the others see end of this report

Burial and further details:

Fl/Lt. Michael Cyril Wilder Ormond. Born 17 May 1921 Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Enlisted in November 1939. 88465 (pre commissioning 907903)) Later 1944 NZ//2387. Son of John Davies Ormond 1873-1942, age 69 and Emilie Mary Gladys Wilder 1881-1958, age 77.Wallace Ormond. Born 17 May 1921 Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Enlisted in November 1939. 88465 (pre commissioning 907903)) Later 1944 NZ//2387. Son of John Davies Ormond 1873-1942, age 69 and Emilie Mary Gladys Wilder 1881-1958, age 77.

Michael Ormond married Margaret Joan Browne (Jan qtr 1950) Surrey North Western, Surrey, UK

Above left: The original home at Wallingford - later burned down in 1895 and right the home today with 12 bedrooms covering more than 1,000 square metres. Now a luxury lodge with 14 bedrooms that can accommodate up to 32 guests a night. Sold for an undisclosed sum in 2017 (courtesy John Copeland)

Siblings David Warner Wilder Ormond 22/10/1924-14/12/2003, age 78 - Edmond Wilder Ormond 29/9/1906--21/1/1991, age 84 - 2nd Lt. Sir John Davies WIlder Ormond 62508/9/1905-8/3/1995, age89 (Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Second Echelon) - Gladys Margaret Ormond 8/9/1904-1991, age 87 (Married name Hope) - Hannah Maud Sheila Wilder Ormond 25/4/1908-8/6/2003, age 83 (Married name Sherratt) - Jacqueline Beatrice Mildred Ormond 23/6/1912-11/8/1994, age 83 (Married name Giesen) - Katherine Wilder Ormond 3/3/1911-11/7/2010 (Married name Acland) - Captain Walcot Eyre Wilder Ormond 31040 27/5/1913-5/12/1986age 74 (cements AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force) - Major Andrew Russell Wilder Ormond 1256 21/1/1916-8/5/1975 age 59 (Long Range Desert Group) - Audrey Phyllis Wilder Ormond 4/9/1917-7/5/2003, age 86 (Married name Maling)

Right: Ormond family memorial (courtesy Vanessa Taylor)

Above: John Davies Ormond and Emilie Mary Gladys Ormond with 10 of their 12 children (missis David Ormond and Michael Ormond born after this photograph was taken) (courtesy The Dominion Post)

Sgt. Samuel Hamer. Thornton-Le-Fylde Churchyard (Christ Church). Plot F.L.2. Grave 213. Born on the 19th May 1918 in Radcliffe, Bury, England. Son of Rawleigh and Rawleigh Hamer (née Stoul). Husband of Joan Hamer (née Waring - married September 1940) of Wilmington, Sussex - died 30th March 2018, age 91in Preston, Lancashire)

P/O. Raymond Edwin Owen. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 34. Born on the 14th November 1918 in Milton Keynes. Son of Edwin and Mary Elizabeth Owen of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England.

Fl/Lt. Nigel George Drever was born on 19th January 1920 in Midlothian. He was educated at Harris Academy before going on to St. Andrews University. Joined the RAF on a short service commission in May 1939. He completed his training and joined 98 Squadron, operating Fairey Battles in France. With the French collapse he was evacuated to St.Nazaire and was lucky to escape when the ship he embarked on, the Lancastria, was sunk on 17th June 1940 with heavy loss of life. Survived the war he passed 16th July 2016, age 96. Funeral at Thornhill Crematorium in Cardiff, Wales on the 11th August 2016. Husband of Helen Marlon Drever (née Parsons)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of these pilots with thanks to Vanessa Taylor for assistance on the Ormrod family, Stuff, New Zealand, New Zealand Cenotaph, New Zealand Museum, Papers Past, The National Archives United Kingdom. Medals re-united of New Zealand. Find a Grave.

Many other sources as quoted below:

(1) 610 Squadron was formed on 10 February 1936 at Hooton Park, Wirral, Cheshire as one of the Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons. Its pilots were initially part-timers who would spend their weekends and spare time flying and practising combat manoeuvres. The squadron was named the "County of Chester" and adopted the motto "Alifero tollitur axe ceres" — "Ceres rising in a winged chariot" - a nod to Chester's agricultural heritage. Its badge featured a garb (sheaf of wheat).

Pre-War and Early War TransitionThe squadron was formed as a day bomber unit, initially equipped with Harts, re-equipping with Hinds in May 1938. On 1 January 1939, it was redesigned a fighter unit. On the outbreak of war it received Hurricanes, but by the end of September 1939 had exchanged these for Spitfires, becoming operational on 21 October.

Dunkirk, 1940610 Squadron gained its first experience of aerial combat against the Luftwaffe whilst desperately attempting to protect the Army and Navy during the Dunkirk evacuation. In just four engagements with the enemy, 610 Squadron lost seven pilots missing or killed in action, and one wounded, while making claims of ten enemy aircraft destroyed, three unconfirmed destroyed, and one damaged.

The Battle of BritainDuring the first two months of the Battle of Britain, 610 Squadron operated out of RAF Biggin Hill as part of 11 Group, where it was one of the units bearing the brunt of German attacks.

The squadron destroyed 86 enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain, though losses were high.

One of the most remarkable individual feats of the whole war occurred during this period. At the height of the battle, on 24 August 1940, 26-year-old Flight Sergeant Ronnie Hamlyn - nicknamed the "Pied Piper of Harrogate" - whilst waiting to be reprimanded outside the Commanding Officer's office, was scrambled three times that day, shooting down a JU88 and then four BF109s, making him the first "Ace in a Day" in the RAF, and only one of two to achieve this in the entire Second World War. (shown below)

(note; Ronald Fairfax Hamlyn AFC survived the war and retired from the RAF on 19th October 1957 as a Squadron Leader. He passed away on the 11th April 1991, age 77)

The squadron moved to RAF Acklington for rest and recuperation at the end of August 1940, having fought heroically but sustained heavy casualties.

1941-1943: Sweeps, Tangmere Wing and East AngliaIn 1941, 610 Squadron moved south to RAF Westhampnett where it was one of Douglas Bader's three Spitfire squadrons of the Tangmere Wing.

After nine months of sweeps and patrols, the squadron returned to Yorkshire for eight months in August 1941, moving to East Anglia in April 1942 for shipping reconnaissance missions.

In August 1942 they covered the Dieppe raid, Operation Jubilee.

1944: The Flying Bomb CampaignAt the end of 1943/44, whilst stationed at West Malling, Friston and Lympne, 610 Squadron perfected the technique of flying alongside the V1 flying bombs and tipping them harmlessly.

In July 1944, No. 610 took its Spitfire XIVs to south-east England to intercept flying bombs for two months.

Final Campaign and DisbandmentIn December the squadron moved to the Continent to join No. 127 Wing for sweeps over Germany. It returned to the UK in February 1945 and disbanded on 3 March 1945.

Final Tally610 Squadron would end the Second World War with a tally of 132 enemy aircraft destroyed, a further 99 probably destroyed or damaged, and 50 flying bombs destroyed. A bronze plaque was dedicated in Chester Cathedral in memory of the 79 pilots and ground crew of 610 Squadron who gave their lives during World War Two.

It was one of the most distinguished auxiliary squadrons of the entire war — weekend flyers who became some of Britain's finest fighter pilots.

Stalag Luft Sagan PoW image

1

P/O. (Fl/Lt) Retired as Fl/Lt George Maurice Baird 42094 RAF Pow No: 61 Stalag Luft Sagan. Whilst flying with 248 Squadron (Coastal Command) flying Blenheim IV P6952 WR-X out of RAF Sumburgh, Shetland Islands. Sunday 20 October 1940 at 07:25 hrs for a reconnaissance off the south-west coast of Norway. After engaging and damaging a Dornier Do18 of 1./KuFlGr.406 the Blenheim was attacked by Bf109's of JG77. His observer 20 year old, Sgt Richard Copcutt 581146 RAF from Whetstone, Middlesex was listed as missing believed killed. The two wireless operators / air gunners, 23 year old Sgt. Douglas Lawrence Burton NZ40187 RNZAF from Opunake, New Zealand (PoW No: 55544) and 20 y3qr old, Sgt Stanley Victor Wood f 649800 RAF rom Bury, Lancashire (PoW No: 69103) survived with the pilot survived after climbing into their rescue dingy. They were later picked up by He59 BV+HH of Seenotflugkdo.5 and landed at Stavanger. They spent the rest of the war as prisoners. ( Fl/Lt George Baird passed away on the 01st May 2008, age 94)
(Further details available)

2

P/O.(Fl/Lt.) Basil William Peryman 36205 PoW No: 413 Stalag Luft Sagan. Whilst flying with 142 Squadron (Bomber Command) Fairet Battle I L5200 out of Villiersfaux, France Tuesday 11th June 1940. On an operation to attack pontoon bridges over the Seine at Le Manoir. six aircraft from 142 squadron the aircraft was hit by 20mm AA fire from 2./Flakabteilung 37, The pilot was thrown out by the blast at 1000 ft and although injured with burns landed safely by parachute and was captured. The other two crew were killed after the aircraft crashed in flames in woodland. They were 21 year old, Sgt. James Henshall Ledson 615842 RAF from James Henshall Ledson and 19 year old Sgt.
Jack Nairn Fraser 581049 RAF from Hempnall, Norfolk. (P/O. Basil Peryman passed away on the 24th May 2000, age 80), age 77)
(Further details available)

3

Fl/Lt. Robert Garth Stark NZ40631 PoW No: 414. Stalag Luft Sagan Whilst flying with 75 Squadron (Bomber Command) Wellington ICR3211 AA-J out of RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk.Sunday/Monday 29/30th December 1940 . Aircraft ran out of fuel due to strong head headwind and made a forced landing at 02:25 hrs. Pilot's, Fl/Lt Henry Daniel Newman RAF 37584 Pow No. 4509 and P/O. Sgt. Jack Middleton Garrett NZ/40631 RNZAF PoW No. 414, Welles operator / air gunner Sgt. Sidney Laurence Spittle 968421 RAF PoW No. 447, air gunner's Sgt. Manville Charles Fenn 909269 RAF Pow No. 447 and Sgt. David Garrick Branscombe Protheroe NZ//401231 RNZAF PoW No. 446 all survived the war. (Fl/Lt. Robert Stark passed away on the 08th October 1999, age 83 MBE. Bronze Star-USA)
(Further details available)

4

Fl/Lt. Arthur Vicary Hunter NZ/40723 RNZAF PoW No: 467. Stalag Luft Sagan. 217 Squadron (Coastal Command) Beaufort I N1173 MW-E out of St. Eval, Cornwall on a Reconnaissance patrol. S12th February 1941 at 11L:15hrs . Sot down by enemy flak near the German-occupied naval base at Brest. One of the pilots. F/O. John Hexley Wybrants 79689 RAF was killed, the remaining four were picked up by the Germans and made PoW. Two wireless operator air gunners P/O Louis Brull Barry, 78668 RAF PoW No. 407 and Sgt Geoffrey Dean Holiday. 627394 RAF POW Number 432 and the observer Sgt Peter Henry Clarke, 745759 RAFPOW No. 490, (note; some records incor rectly have F/O. Wybrants middle name as Hetley, and that it was a four man crew) (Fl/Lt. Arthur hunter passed away on the 11th May 2008, age 90 MiD)
(Further details available)

5

F/0. (Fl.Lt.) Eric Neil Baker 41641 RAF PoW No: 463 Stalag Luft Sagan. Whilst flying with 419 Flight Whitley V T4264 out of RAF Stradishall, Suffolk Monday/Tuesday 17/18th February 1941 1:15 hrs. A Lysander pilot but flying as an air gunner to familiarise the route. On return aircraft hit by flak and forced landed. All six crew survived and taken prisoner Pilote s Sq/Ldr. Francis John Baptist Keast DFC. 28090 RAF PoW No: 468, F/O. Kenneth Stanley McMurdie 43832 RAF PoW No: 474, Observer Sgt Archibald John Cameron 517909 RAFVR PoW No: 488, Air Bomber Sgt David Harold Bernard 966856 RAFVR PoW No: 481 and another Air Gunner gt Davud Waldo Davies 904254 RAFVR PoW No: 493. (F/0. Eric Neil Baker passed away on the 05th May 2008 age 93)
(Further details available)

6

F/O. (Fl/Lt.) Herbert Douglas Newman 37584 RAF (later RNZAF) PoW No. 4509 Stalag Luft Sagan. Whilst with 75 Squadron (Bomber Command). Flying Wellington IC R3211 AA-J out of RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk. Sunday/Monday 29/30th December 1940 02:25 hrs. During the return trip encounter strong headwinds. All six crew survived as PoW: 2nd pilot, Sgt. Manville Charles Fenn 909269 RAF PoW No. 429 observer Sgt. Sergeant Robert Garth Stark Sergeant Robert Garth Stark NZ/40631 PoW] 597, wireless operator air gunners, Sgt. Sidney Laurence Spittle 968421 RAF PoW No. 447 and Sgt, Manville Charles Fenn 909269 RAF PoW No. 429, air gunner Sgt. David Garrick Branscombe Protheroe NZ//401231 RNZAF PoW No. 446. (F/O. Herbert Newman passed away in April 1996, age 77)
(Further details available)

7

P/O. (Fl/Lt.) Michael Cyril Cyril Wilder Ormond (pre commission 907903) 88465 RAF NZ//2387 RNZAF PoW No. 39327 610 Squadron. Flying Spitfire IIa P7752 DWW-E. Three others from the squadron were lost; 21 year old P/O. Nigel George Drever 42205 RAF PoW No. 451. (survived the war, passed away on the 10th September 1964, age just 43) Flying Spitfire Ia P8027. Sgt. Sgt. Samuel Hamer 758049 RAFVR killed flying Spitfire IIa P7501 DW-O. 22 year old P/O. Raymond Edwin Owen 88466 RAF Spitfire P7752 DW-N missing - believed killed (PO. Michael Ormond passed away on the 10th Sept 1964 in Fife, Scotland, age 43)
(Further details available)

8

F/O (W/Cdr) Cecil Dunn “Snowy” Milne PoW No: 412 Sagan 57 Squadron (1936), 212 Squadron PDU (later PRU); 617 Sqn (1947). Flying Spitfire PR.III N3071 shot down on the 25th April 1940 at Esslingen near Stuttgart. Captured by Ger9man forces and made PoW. Son of William and Catherine Milnen
Death: August 15, 1983, in New Zealand). W/Cdr. Cecil Milne DFC. passed away on the 15th August 1983, age 67 DFC)
(Further details available)

9

Sgt. (W/O.) Albert Geroge Murray Coulam PoW No: 42719 Sagan. NZ/413286 RNZAF, 35 Squadron. Halifax II W7851 on an operation to Nurnberg on the 09th March 1943, taking off at 00:30 hrs. Shot down by Oblt. Ludwig Meister of the Stab I/NJG 4, flying Bf 110 F-4 3C+MB from Laon-Athies airfield. Pilot, F/O. John Hilton Brown RAFVR 109028 (NCO:1066452) killed. Fl/Eng. Fl/Sgt. Alan Tacey RAF 1057600 PoW No: 27744, Navigator Sq/Ldr. Gomer Donald Waterer RAF 77214 (NCO:749414 : Commission Gazetted Tuesday 06 February, 1940) PoW No: 937, Air/bmr. Albert Geroge Coulam, W/Op/Air/Gnr. Fl/Sgt. David Aitken Sibbald DFM RNZAF NZ/411102 evaded capture, Air/Gnr. Fl/Sgt. Patrick Flynn RAFVR 1174414 killed, Air/Gnr. Stanley Seymour Vinicombe NZ/413286 RNZAF killed. (Albert Coulam passed away on the 17th August 1999, age 82)
(Further details available)

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