The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H C Orchard

Harold Charles Orchard was born in Weymouth on 26th December 1916, the son of Charles and Nora Elsie Orchard.

He was educated at Holy Trinity School and Weymouth Central Boys' School. He joined the RAF on 26th August 1935 as an Aircrafthand and trained as a Fitter.

On 24th July 1939 Orchard remustered as an Airman u/t Pilot. With his training completed, Orchard joined 65 Squadron at Hornchurch on 20th April 1940. He served with the squadron in the Battle of Britain.

Above image courtesy of Alan Brown.

On 27th August the squadron was rested and moved north to Turnhouse. After training new pilots it moved back south to Tangmere on 29th November 1940.

During a sweep to attack the aerodrome at St. Omer on 5th February 1941, Orchard was shot down in Spitfire II P7733 and killed.

He is buried in Neufchatel New Cemetery, Neufchatel-Hardelot, France.

Alan Brown has bulit an immensely detailed account of Orchard's service at:

http://www.ajbrown.me.uk/IndividualStories/RAF/contents.htm