Oliver Ogle Ormrod

Pilot Officer (Pilot) 110128
185 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

The Commonwealth War Graves Debt of Honour Register records that Oliver Ogle Ormrod was the son of Maurice Sarsfield Ormrod and Eva Margaretta Ormrod, of Wrexham, Denbighshire.

Oliver is commemorated on the grave of his grandparents, Oliver and Emily Ormrod, in the churchyard of St Dunawd Church, Bangor Is-coed. He is also commemorated on a memorial tablet, pictured below, which can be found inside the church.

Oliver flew Hurricanes, and arrived in Malta with 242 Squadron on 12 November 1941, having flown there from an aircraft carrier. Oliver then flew with 185 Squadron in the defence of Malta.

The squadron began to be re-equipped with Spitfires  in February 1942 and these had replaced the Hurricanes by the end of the March 1942.

On 10 April 1942 Oliver crash-landed his aircraft at Luqa Airfield. He survived the crash and managed to jump out of the damaged aircraft. A Fire Tender Crew and Flight Sergeant, rushed to the stricken aircraft unaware that he had already escaped. Shortly afterwards the petrol tank exploded. For their efforts, Corporal Hugh Clawson and Leading Aircraftsman Edward Mitchison were awarded the George Medal.

Oliver was killed on 22 April 1942 and is buried in Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery (Grave Ref. Prot. Sec. (Officers'). Plot. E. Coll. grave 2).

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and his citation for this award, published in The London Gazette of 28 April 1942 reads: "Pilot Officer Oliver Ogle ORMROD (110128) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 185 Squadron. This officer is a most determined pilot. Whatever the odds, he endeavours to press home his attacks to the utmost. He has destroyed 2, probably destroyed 3 and damaged a large number of enemy aircraft. His courageous leadership has set an admirable example."

	The gravestone of Emily Ormrod, of Pickhill Hall, with details of the commemoration to Oliver Ogle Ormrod. "OLIVER OGLE ORMROD D.F.C. / PILOT OFFICER R.A.F.V.R. / BORN EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 1922. / KILLED DEFENDING MALTA APRIL 22ND 1942."
	TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY OF / OLIVER OGLE ORMROD, D.F.C. / PILOT OFFICER, R.A.F.V.R. / WHO GAVE HIS LIFE IN DEFENCE OF MALTA / AT HIS TWENTIETH BIRTHDAY APRIL 22, 1942 / DEARLY LOVED ELDEST SON OF MAURICE AND MARDA ORMROD / OF PICKHILL HALL IN THIS PARISH. / THE LORD GAVE, AND THE LORD HATH TAKEN AWAY; BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD./ JOB 1.21.
	Distinguished Flying Cross The D.F.C. was established in 1918 for officers and warrant officers in the R.A.F. as a reward for valour and devotion to duty while flying in opertaions against the enemy.