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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 529

(x) Three: Flying Officer W. H. Ormsby, Royal Air Force, who died when two Boston aircraft collided in the skies over Tunisia on 25 April 1943

Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, together with original Air Minitry condolence slip in the name of 'Flying Officer W. H. Ormsby', nearly extremely fine (3)


William Henry Ormsby trained as an Observer in 1942 and, following attendance of at No. 42 O.T.U., he was posted to No. 13 Squadron at R.A.F. Odiham. The Squadron proceeded - via Gibraltar - to North Africa, where Ormsby quickly saw action, his first sortie being flown on 29 December 1942, when his Blenheim attacked Sidi Ahmed Aerodrome at Bizerta; the target was 'successfully attacked in clear weather. Several fires were started on the 'drome. Some light inaccurate flak encountered' (No. 13's Operations Record Book, refers).

Transferring to No. 18 Squadron, which was equipped with Bostons, Ormsby flew further sorties in the period leading up to his death on 25 April 1943. On that date his aircraft was detailed to attack an enemy strongpoint at Bir Mcherga, but it collided with another Boston. No. 18's Operational Record Book takes up the story:

'Boston 'F' was only slightly damaged in the front Perspex and airscrew and returned safely to base, but Boston 'S', with extensive damage to the tail, crashed to earth out of control, all the crew being killed. The collision occurred at 1359 in broad daylight and excellent visibility at 3000 feet and was apparently due to an error of judgement on the part of the pilot of Boston 'S' when overtaking Boston 'F' to take over the leading position in the rear vic of the formation.'

William was the son of Duke Heppenstall Ormsby and Annie Eliza Ormsby of Wandsworth, London, and is commemorated at Thibar Seminary War Cemetery; sold with copied research.


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Sold for
£100