Frank Edwin Ormerod

 

Sergeant 1057349
76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Son of Joseph Wingate Ormerod and Lilian Ormerod; husband of Edith Mary Ormerod.

76 Squadron was a Halifax heavy bomber squadron in No. 4 Group. Only the second squadron to fly the Halifax, it began operations on the night of 12-13 June 1941, and maintained its offensive until the end of the European war was in sight.

At the time of Frank's death 76 Squadron were flying out of Middleton St George.

The Operations Record Book for the Squadron notes that on 3 June 1942 "Operations were ordered for an attack on Bremen. Ten crews were detailed, and all took off. One aircraft returned early and two are reported missing (Captains P.O. Philp and F/S. Stell). ½ The remaining aircraft landed safely at base on return ...

Weather. Fine. Small amounts of cloud. Excellent visibility. Wind light SW'ly, but increasing to 10-15 mph, temporarily during mid afternoon."

Frank Ormerod was flying in the Halifax II, W.1104 "F", piloted by P.O. Philp. The other members of the crew were Sergeants Mulhauser, Harte, Battersby and Watson.

The squadron records note that "this aircraft was airborne at Middleton St George at 23.14 hours since when nothing further has been heard. It has therefore been reported missing."

Frank's body was later recovered from the North Sea, on 28 June 1942, and is buried in Vlieland General Cemetery, The Netherlands (Grave 41).

The following information was provided by Dirk Bruin, who has been researching the Commonwealth casualties buried in Vlieland General Cemetery, and has kindly provided copies of documentation relating to Frank Ormerod's death, as well as the photograph of his grave.

The police report into the finding of Frank's body  mentions that he was found on 28 June, some 24 days after the crash. It reports that the body was in an advanced state of decomposition, and that it was identified by the name Ormerod on the uniform.

The report, made by the Dutch Police, also mentions that he was dressed in his flying uniform and wearing his flying boots - and that the boots were confiscated by the Germans. The body of Frank Ormerod was than buried with military honours.

The German document provides a list of items that were forwarded to the Red Cross. It again mentions the boots (2 Filzstiefel), so it would appear that they were not taken by the Germans.

Frank's grave in Vlieland General Cemetery

(Courtesy Dirk Bruin Collection - Vlieland)

Dutch Police report into the finding of Frank Ormerod's body. Unfortunately the print on this document is not very clear.

(Courtesy Dirk Bruin Collection - Vlieland)

Inventory of Frank Ormerod's possessions

(Courtesy Dirk Bruin Collection - Vlieland)