Walter Ormerod

 

Second Lieutenant
43 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Walter was the son of Henry and Lucy Ormerod, of Rochdale, and his ancestry can be traced through the Ormerods of Giggleswick & Rochdale.

At the time of the 1901 Census his family were living at Castlemere St, Rochdale.

Dwelling:

49 Castlemere St

Census Place:

Rochdale, Lancashire, England

Source:

PRO Ref RG13; Piece 3834; Folio 151; Page 27

Marr

Age

Sex

Birthplace

Henry ORMEROD

M

47

M

Lancs Rochdale

Rel:

Occ:

Head

Master Printer & Lithographer (Employer)

Lucy ORMEROD

M

43

F

Lancs Rochdale

Rel:

Wife

Eleanor ORMEROD

S

16

F

Lancs Rochdale

Rel:

Occ:

Daughter

Photographer's Retoucher (Worker)

Annie ORMEROD

13

F

Lancs Rochdale

Rel:

Daughter

Lucy ORMEROD

 

5

F

Lancs Rochdale

Rel:

Daughter

Henry ORMEROD

3

M

Lancs Rochdale

Rel:

Son

Walter ORMEROD 1 M Lancs Rochdale
Rel: Son

At the time of the 1911 Census, Walter was living at South Dene, New Barn Lane.

Walter's family were printers and lithographers, and he studied photography at Manchester University prior to enlisting inAugust 1917. His entry in the Manchester University Roll of Service reads: "Ormerod, Walter. Son of Henry Ormerod, South Dene, New Barn Lane, Rochdale. Born 1899 at Rochdale, Manch. G.S. [Grammar School] M.U. [Manchester University] : 1915; Student, Photography ; O.T.C. Oct. 1916 to Aug. 1917. Enl. Aug. 1917 ; Gaz. June 1918 ; R.A.F. 5 2nd Lieut. Missing, presumed killed, 29th Aug. 1918, in France."

Walter was a member of 43 Squadron, Royal Air Force, and was killed on 29 August 1918.

43 Squadron were equipped with Sopwith Camels from September 1917. Fighter patrols and ground attack missions occupied the squadron for the rest of the First World War. The squadron began to be issued with Sopwith Snipes in August 1918.

On the date of Walter's death, D.H.9 aircraft of 98 Squadron were being escorted by Sopwith Camels of 43 Squadron on a day-bombing raid on Somain Railway Station, when they were attacked by 35-40 Fokker DVIIIs. On this date Walter was flying Sopwith Camel, E1485. Both R.A.F. squadrons suffered losses, but Walter was the only 43 Squadron fatality, being shot down over Fienvillers. Four other members of 43 Squadron were lost, all taken prisoner.

Walter was originally reported missing, but a notice accepting the 29 August 1918 as the date of his death for official purposes appeared in Air Force List June 1919.

The Jasta 57 Datafile on Forum Eerste Wereldoorlog records: "29Aug18 Flg. Hechler-2 Sopwith Camel N. Bourlon Wood 24 #E.1485, 43 Sqn. RAF, Lt. W. Ormerod, KIA"

Walter is buried in Ontario Cemetery, Sains-Les-Marquion, France (Grave Ref. IV. A. 14). He is also commemorated on the war memorial located in the quadrangle of the John Owens Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, which commemorates those connected with the University who fell in the First and Second World Wars.

Details of Walter Ormerod's last flight were kindly provided by David J. Barnes, who is compiling an on-line roll of the men who served in the R.F.C., R.N.A.S. and R.A.F.

More about this project can be found at www.rfc-rnas-raf-register.org.uk.

Walter's grave in Ontario Cemetery, Sains-Les-Marquion
An example of a Sopwith Camel, from the R.A.F. Museum at Hendon