Augustus Orlebar

Air Vice Marshal Augustus Henry Orlebar, (17 February 1897 – 4 August 1943) was a British Army and Royal Air Force officer who served in both world wars.

After being wounded during the Gallipoli campaign, Orlebar was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps and subsequently the Royal Air Force (RAF). He formally transferred to the RAF after the First World War and between the wars was involved in high speed flying, commanding the High Speed Flight RAF, competing in the Schneider Trophy, and holding the world air speed record.

By the outbreak of the Second World War Orlebar was in command of RAF Northolt. He briefly became Director of Flying Training in 1940 before going to HQ RAF Fighter Command. In July 1941 he became Air Officer Commanding, No. 10 (Fighter) Group, and in March 1943 Deputy Chief of Combined Operations. He fell ill, and died in hospital on 4 August 1943.

Early life Orlebar was the son of Augustus Scobell Orlebar and Hester Mary Orlebar, of Podington, Bedfordshire. The Orlebars were an old established family, having built Hinwick House almost 200 years earlier, after holding the manor since the mid-17th century. He was educated at Rugby School.

First World War Orlebar was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (Territorial Force) on 15 January 1915. His battalion landed at Suvla Bay on 11 August 1915, pitching him into the Gallipoli campaign, He was promoted to temporary lieutenant on 21 September 1915, but was subsequently wounded in action by a sniper's bullet. He was then invalided to the United Kingdom and seconded to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) on recovery.

Orlebar trained as a pilot in 1916 and was appointed a flying officer in the military wing of the RFC on 17 September 1916 when he was formally seconded from his regimental duties to the RFC. His rank of lieutenant was confirmed on 21 October. He was posted to No. 19 Squadron RFC on the Western Front.

The final contest was held in 1931, for a 3rd win gave the title to Britain in perpetuity. His report on the contest describes Flight Lieutenant George Stainforth's achievement of a new speed record at over 400 mph.

Second World War At the outbreak of the Second World War Orlebar was the Director of Flying Training before joining the Air Staff, HQ Fighter Command in October 1940. On 22 July 1941 he became Air Officer Commanding of No. 10 Group then the position of Deputy Chief of Combined Operations, at RAF Northolt from 2 March 1943. He died in hospital from natural causes after a short illness and is buried at his family church of Saint Mary's, Podington, Bedfordshire. He is commemorated on the War Memorial of the Church.

Service career

Decorations Air Force Cross – 2 Jan 1922, Bar – 3 Jun 1930, Mentioned in Despatches – 24 Sep 1941.

Ranks held Army Second Lieutenant 15 Jan 1915 Lieutenant Temporary 21 Sep 1915 Lieutenant 21 Oct 1916 [1 Jun 1916] Captain Temporary 20 Dec 1917 RAF Lieutenant 1 Apr 1918 Flight Lieutenant 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918] Squadron Leader 1 Jul 1928 Wing Commander 1 Jan 1932 Group Captain 1 Jul 1937 Air Commodore Temporary 1 Feb 1940 Acting Air Vice Marshal 22 Jul 1941 – 1 Jan 1943 Air Commodore War substantive 22 Jul 1942 Air Commodore 1 Oct 1942 [22 Jul 1942] Acting Air Vice Marshal 1 Mar 1943 – 21 Jun 1943 )

RAF

British team for 1931 Schneider TrophyLeft to right: Flt Lt E.J.L. Hope Lt RL "Jerry" Brinton (Fleet Air Arm) Flt Lt Freddy Long Flt Lt George Stainforth Sqn Ldr AH Orlebar (Flight Commander) Flt Lt John Boothman Fg Off Leonard Snaith Flt Lt W.F. Dry (Engineering Officer) In the background is a Supermarine S.6B, or possibly a S.6A 1918 Instructor Aug 1918 Flight Commander, No. 43 Squadron RAF (Camel, Snipe – Western Front) 1 Jul 1919 Pilot, Aeroplane Experimental Station, Martlesham Heath. 1 Aug 1919 Relinquishes his commission in the Bedfordshire Regiment (retaining rank of Lieutenant) 28 Oct 1919 Granted a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant (effective from 1 Aug) 16 Mar 1920 Pilot, at the renamed Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment 24 Jul 1923 Flight Commander, No. 22 Sqn. Trials aircraft – Martlesham Heath 4 May 1925 Attended RAF Staff College 12 Apr 1926 Staff, HQ No. 22 Group 21 Sep 1926 supernumerary – awaiting disposal, HQ Iraq Command 3 Sep 1927 Staff, Deputy Directorate of Staff Duties. 9 Jan 1929 Test Pilot, Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment 2 Dec 1929 Officer Commanding, Flying Boat Development Flight. 11 May 1931 Officer Commanding, RAF High Speed Flight. 2 Jan 1932 Staff, HQ No. 1 Air Defence Group 22 Sep 1933 Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), HQ Aden Command 1 May 1936 Staff, Directorate of Staff Duties 12 Jan 1937 Attended Imperial Defence College 20 Dec 1937 Officer Commanding, RAF Northolt 15 Oct 1939 Duty Air Commodore, HQ RAF Fighter Command 29 Jul 1940 Director of Flying Training 15 Oct 1940 Air Staff, HQ RAF Fighter Command 22 Jul 1941 AOC, No. 10 (Fighter) Group 4 Nov 1942 2 Mar 1943 Deputy Chief of Combined Operations