Brigadier Henry Ralph Orton BA Royal Army Service Corps
The Man Henry Ralph Orton was born on Monday 28th October 1912 in Stockport, Cheshire son of Albert, an Engineer’s Draughtsman and Esther Shelmerdine, nee Coxson. He had one brother Denis V born in 1915.
Following his education Henry attended University gaining a BA and on 1st February 1936 was Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant into the Royal Army Service Corps, with service number 67333 and seniority backdated to 30th August 1934. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 30th August 1937.
Henry was posted to Mandatory Palestine with the 68th Coy RASC during the Arab revolt sometime after 1937, transferring on 29th July 1939 to 14 Coy Supply and Transport Corps. He was awarded the General Service Medal with clasp ‘Palestine’.
Henry remained in the Middle East following, during and after the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939 and qualified as a German Interpreter 1st Class. He married Stella Smyth, possibly in Egypt as no UK record can be found. They had two children Esther Rosemary born in 1940 also in Egypt and Andrew Henry Orton 1946 in Aldershot. Henry was promoted to Captain on 30th August 1942 and in the London Gazette of 11th December 1942 was Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of Gallant and Distinguished service in the Middle East.
Stella is shown twice as returning from Port Said, Egypt, firstly with Esther on 19th September 1944 their address showing as Wylam lodge, Wylam, Northumberland and secondly with both Andrew and Esther on 11th April 1954 their address being given as HQ RASC East Anglia District, Colchester.
Henry was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45 for his services.
Following his return to the UK, Henry was promoted to Major on 30th August 1947, Lieutenant Colonel at the Joint Staff Support Centre and Personnel Service Centre, Colonel on 23rd July 1959 during which time he commanded a Regiment and Brigadier on 2nd March 1964. He retired from the Army on 10th March 1966 aged 54.
Henry and Stella appear to have separated as on 23rd August 1968 he married Mary Elizabeth Spofforth, youngest daughter of Sir Ernest and Lady Shepperson, in St John the Baptist Church, Greatham, Petersfield. They later lived at Ashbourne, 42 Thornton Avenue, Warsash, Southampton, Hampshire.
Henry died aged 83 on 26th January 1996 in hospital in Hampshire and was cremated at a private ceremony, a memorial service being held later.
Following his education Henry attended University gaining a BA and on 1st February 1936 was Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant into the Royal Army Service Corps, with service number 67333 and seniority backdated to 30th August 1934. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 30th August 1937.
Henry was posted to Mandatory Palestine with the 68th Coy RASC during the Arab revolt sometime after 1937, transferring on 29th July 1939 to 14 Coy Supply and Transport Corps. He was awarded the General Service Medal with clasp ‘Palestine’.
Henry remained in the Middle East following, during and after the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939 and qualified as a German Interpreter 1st Class. He married Stella Smyth, possibly in Egypt as no UK record can be found. They had two children Esther Rosemary born in 1940 also in Egypt and Andrew Henry Orton 1946 in Aldershot. Henry was promoted to Captain on 30th August 1942 and in the London Gazette of 11th December 1942 was Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of Gallant and Distinguished service in the Middle East.
Stella is shown twice as returning from Port Said, Egypt, firstly with Esther on 19th September 1944 their address showing as Wylam lodge, Wylam, Northumberland and secondly with both Andrew and Esther on 11th April 1954 their address being given as HQ RASC East Anglia District, Colchester.
Henry was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45 for his services.
Following his return to the UK, Henry was promoted to Major on 30th August 1947, Lieutenant Colonel at the Joint Staff Support Centre and Personnel Service Centre, Colonel on 23rd July 1959 during which time he commanded a Regiment and Brigadier on 2nd March 1964. He retired from the Army on 10th March 1966 aged 54.
Henry and Stella appear to have separated as on 23rd August 1968 he married Mary Elizabeth Spofforth, youngest daughter of Sir Ernest and Lady Shepperson, in St John the Baptist Church, Greatham, Petersfield. They later lived at Ashbourne, 42 Thornton Avenue, Warsash, Southampton, Hampshire.
Henry died aged 83 on 26th January 1996 in hospital in Hampshire and was cremated at a private ceremony, a memorial service being held later.
The Story The medal group awarded to Henry Ralph Orton was acquired via a contact on Facebook, following a house clearance.
The group were of interest as the General Service Medal was named to an Officer, pre-World War II.
Because of the unusual name, Ancestry, London Gazette, Newspaper archives and extraction of his will enabled a brief biography to be pieced together.
A simple group, but one that belonged to a long serving senior officer who rose to be a Brigadier.
The group were of interest as the General Service Medal was named to an Officer, pre-World War II.
Because of the unusual name, Ancestry, London Gazette, Newspaper archives and extraction of his will enabled a brief biography to be pieced together.
A simple group, but one that belonged to a long serving senior officer who rose to be a Brigadier.
Medal Details:
- General Service Medal: LT. H.R.ORTON. R.A.S.C.
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Africa Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
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This page last updated 21 Nov 23
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