The Orlebars were an old established family, having built Hinwick House almost 200 years earlier, after holding the manor since the mid-17th century.

[2] His battalion landed at Suvla Bay on 11 August 1915, pitching him into the Gallipoli campaign,[3] He was promoted to temporary lieutenant on 21 September 1915,[4] but was subsequently wounded in action by a sniper's bullet.

Orlebar served as a test pilot at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE), Martlesham Heath, between 1919 and 1925, being awarded the Air Force Cross in 1921 and the bar in 1929.

Orlebar was Officer Commanding and pilot with the High Speed Flight, the RAF's team for the Schneider Trophy seaplane races of 1927–1931.

Britain, having won the 1927 race, became the subsequent host for the contests, which were based at RAF Calshot on the eastern entrance to Southampton Water.

[9] At the outbreak of the Second World War Orlebar was the Director of Flying Training before joining the Air Staff, HQ Fighter Command in October 1940.

He died in hospital from natural causes after a short illness and is buried at his family church of Saint Mary's, Podington, Bedfordshire.