Newell Orton, DFC & Bar (1915 – 17 September 1941) was a British flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.
Born in Warwick, Orton served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve before joining the RAF in 1937.
Newell Orton, nicknamed Fanny, was born in 1915 in Warwick, England, and was educated locally at King's High School and then proceeding to Leamington Technical College.
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1935 and was soon a qualified pilot with the rank of sergeant.
It was intended to send the squadron to France as the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), designated as part of No.
[3] Operating from Rouvres, not far from the border with Germany, the squadron flew regular standing patrols and were involved in infrequent engagements with the Luftwaffe during the Phoney War.
[1][15] Two days later, in recognition of his exploits of 21 April, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 17 May; the citation, published in The London Gazette, read: During April, 1940, this officer was the leader of a rear section in a patrol of nine aircraft, and in that position was allotted the important task of guarding the rear of the formation.
After warning the leader of the formation, he proceeded with his section to attack the enemy, which proved to be three Messerschmitt 109's one of which he shot down in flames.
Later, during the same patrol, the formation again came in action with 12 enemy aircraft and during this engagement Flying Officer Orton attacked a Messerschmitt 109 and, it is believed, destroyed it.
This officer has displayed skill and determination in a number of previous combats.Orton was repatriated to England and spent the next several weeks in hospital, missing the Battle of Britain.
Now holding the rank of squadron leader, he regularly flew on sweeps to France as part of the RAF's Circus offensive.
[1] On 12 August, with his squadron flying as escorts to Handley Page Hampden bombers attacking the airfield at St. Omer.
[19] On 17 September the squadron, flying as part of the Hornchurch Wing, was involved in a large engagement with around 50 Bf 109s near Le Touquet.