Orford Twelvetrees

Sergeant, air gunner and wireless operator.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 1307669

John Orford Twelvetrees, known as Orford, was one of the two Wireless Operator/Air Gunners. We have managed to contact Orford's family, who have kindly given us access to letters and photographs.

Orford was born in Ireland and later became the stepson of Lieutenant SH Twelvetrees of New Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, when his mother remarried. Like Charles, he was academically successful and he worked in the family business, a general store in the village. Orford attended Spilsby Grammar School on a scholarship from 1931, although he was both gifted and studious the economic situation of the time did not permit him to attend university, which the school's head master was keen on him to do. He was a member of the Home Guard before he joined the RAF.

Orford's service record shows that he met Charles at 2nd Signal School and continued training with him through radio school and air gunnery school. They then met John Atkinson and their original navigator, Sgt Everett, at the Operational Training Unit at RAF Chivenor were they formed a crew. They trained as a crew at the Torpedo Training Unit at Abbotsinch before they were posted to 86 Squadron. We don't know what happened to Sgt Everett but there is no mention of him at 86 Squadron. A letter from Orford to his older sister Norah reveals that he was stationed at RAF Portreath for at least a week before his fatal flight. He spent his afternoons there bathing and the evenings dancing or at the cinema. He asked his sister to remind him to Betty, presumably a young lady from the village. Orford's brother Wally also served with the RAF as a meteorologist. Wally's explanation of the method for measuring the height of the cloud base is most illuminating!

Orford's funeral was held at St Peter's church in New Bolingbroke. Nearly all his family attended with representatives from the RAF and the Home Guard as well as most of the villagers. His coffin was borne by his former comrades of the Home Guard, who also provided the firing party for the salute.

Billy Twelvetrees, rugby player for England Saxons and Gloucester Centre, is Orford's great-nephew.

Orford's service record

Orford's gravestone in New Bolingbroke