Name
Walter James Orton
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
50549
Royal Air Force
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
William Orton was born in the summer of 1877 at Thornton Hough on the Wirral. He was one of nine children born to Thomas and Isabella Orton. At the time of the 1881 Census the family lived at Backwood Hall, at Leighton on the Wirral, where Thomas was employed as a Butler. By 1891 the family had moved to Allerton Hall near Widnes where again Thomas was employed as a Butler.
The 1901 Census showed that Walter had left the family home and was recorded as a Boarder living with Emma Kiff and her daughter Emily at Breakspear Road, Abbots Langley. At the time he was employed as a Groom.
Walter married Elizabeth Panniers on 18th September 1901 at Aigburth St Anne, Lancashire, and between 1903 and 1907 the couple had three children – two sons and a daughter. In the 1911 Census Walter was recorded working as a Domestic Coachman, possibly at the Manor House in Abbots Langley as the family lived at the Manor House Cottages in the village.
Walter was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in January 1917, serving with the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). In the January 1918 edition of the Magazine Walter was listed serving with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), and then when that service became the Royal Air Force (RAF) in April 1918, he was recorded serving with the RAF.
The Absent Voter Records of Autumn 1918 and September 1919 listed Walter serving as a Air Mechanic (Third Class) with the RAF, and his address was given at Kitters Green, Abbots Langley.
Additional Information
Formerly Royal Naval Air Service & Royal Flying Corps
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
