Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

In last week's Courier, the research team at Unlocking Warwick, the Town Council volunteers, appealed for information about the family of Squadron Leader Newell 'Fanny' Orton from Bridge End in Warwick, a noted flying 'ace' who was the first WW2 pilot to be awarded the DFC with Bar.

A French historian, Francois Clauvelin, had contacted the volunteers to say he was searching for Orton's grandson for pictures and information to add to a book he is compiling about the 73 rd Hurricane Squadron based in Eastern France in 1939-1940.

Unlocking Warwick's Project Leader, Christine Shaw, said: “Almost immediately we were able to track down both of Fanny Orton's grandsons, Michael and Paul Orton, and the family is now exchanging information and photographs with Monsieur Clauvelin in France who is 'absolutely delighted'.

Newell Ortons son David and the sister of the other fighter ace, Cobber Kain, when they visited the memorial to the 73rd RAF Fighter Squadron base near Rouvres in Eastern France in 2004. Photo supplied by historian Francois Clauvelin.

"We have also been contacted by Newell Orton's nephew, Nigel Robinson, who lives in Leamington.

"His mother was the fighter pilot's sister.

"He said a neighbour rang his doorbell clutching a copy of The Courier and excitedly pointed out the feature about Fanny Orton.

“Nigel Robinson has provided us with some fascinating documents, including a letter to Orton's parents from Anthony Eden, the MP for Warwick and Leamington, who in 1940 was the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

Left shows the letter from Mr Gough, Headmaster of Coten End School, written after Newell had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and when they were anxiously awaiting news of him after his plane had been shot down in flames in France.
Right shows the letter to Orton's parents from Anthony Eden, the MP for Warwick and Leamington, who in 1940 was the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs. — Left shows the letter from Mr Gough, Headmaster of Coten End School, written after Newell had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and when they were anxiously awaiting news of him after his plane had been shot down in flames in France. Right shows the letter to Orton's parents from Anthony Eden, the MP for Warwick and Leamington, who in 1940 was the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

"He wrote about Newell leading three hurricanes against twelve German machines and sent 'hearty congratulations on his very fine performance'.

"It is clear that Orton's prowess as a fighter pilot was well-known in Warwick and he was regarded as a local hero.

"It is hardly surprising as he was hailed nationally as Britain's first fighter ace in WW2, credited with shooting down 17 enemy aircraft with another eight 'probables' before he himself was killed in 1941.

"Newell's nephew, Nigel Robinson, has also kept a letter to the Orton family from the Headmaster of Coten End School, written after Newell had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and when they were anxiously awaiting news of him after his plane had been shot down in flames in France.

Left, Newell Orton climbing into his Hurricane. Right, top: New Zealander Cobber Kain receiving the telegram that tells him he has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Orton (on the right) had already been awarded this gallantry medal. By the end of 1941 all four of these pilots had been killed. Right bottom: The pilots of 73rd Squadron before the Luftwaffe launched a full scale attack on their airfield in May 1940 leading to weeks of fierce aerial combat. Orton is second from the left. Photos supplied

"In fact Newell had baled out and though injured was rescued by British troops.

"The Headmaster, Mr. Gough, describes how 'our boys make admiring groups round Newell's photograph daily, and follow the news very closely'.

"The fighter pilot was clearly a real life 'Boy' Own' hero.

"Nigel Robinson has provided a colour-enhanced photograph of Orton in France with the other 'ace' of the squadron, 'Cobber' Kain DFC, who was killed in June 1940 at the age of 21 shortly before his planned wedding.

The two air aces of 73rd Squadron who were both awarded the DFC, Newell Orton (left) and Cobber" Kain (right).
Photo was brought into colour by ColourbyRJM. Photo supplied by Unlocking Warwick — The two air aces of 73rd Squadron who were both awarded the DFC, Newell Orton (left) and Cobber" Kain (right). Photo was brought into colour by ColourbyRJM. Photo supplied by Unlocking Warwick

"Graham Doughty who has lived in Warwick all his life also remembers that Newell 'Fanny' Orton was revered as a heroic pilot and Wing Commender, and recalled a report in the Advertiser – the precursor of the Courier - of a talk Newell Orton gave to the local Rotary Club in support of the Spitfire fund.

"Helen from our research team found the report from August 1940 on the British Newspapers Archive website. Orton had been on home leave in Warwick while recovering from injuries sustained when he had to bale out of his burning Hurricane in France.

"It reported that 'The presence of such a distinguished airman … was a great inspiration for workers for the fund, and his modest account of the exploits of the R.A.F. made a deep impression'.

"The Heart of England Spitfire Fund was to raise £15,000 – enough for three aircraft.

"Francois Clauvelin has also sent us a copy of the entry for 17th September 1941 in the Operations Record Book of 54th Spitfire Squadron led by Newell Orton.

"It records that the Squadron Leader and two of his colleagues 'were lost sight of and not seen again'.

The entry says, 'He gave his best for his country and squadron – he had fought well and bravely in France at the beginning of the war with 73 Squadron against fantastic odds. His score stands at 17 destroyed and eight probables', and it quotes the squadron motto; Audax Omnia Per Peti: Bravery In All Things.

"So our appeal on behalf of the French historian was a success, and we now know a great deal more about the name 'N. Orton' on the War Memorial. He was a much revered local hero”.

The personal stories of all the 112 Warwick men who died in WW2 are on Unlocking Warwick's War Memorial website: www.warwickwarmemorial.org.uk

If you have pictures or information about any of them, email Christine Shaw at [email protected]

Unlocking Warwick track down family of WW2 flying ace after launching appeal