in No 73 Squadron, before being wounded. He gained his final victory with No. 43 Squadron on 29 September, bringing his total to seven. Inter-war service 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. Air racing 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. In 1929 Orlebar set an air speed record of 357.7 mph in Supermarine S.6 N247. The final contest was held in 1931, for a 3rd win gave the title to Britain in perpetuity. His report on the contest describes Flight Lieutenant George Stainforth's achievement of a new speed record at over 400 mph. Second World War 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. On 22 July 1941 he became Air Officer Commanding of No. 10 Group then the position of Deputy Chief of Combined Operations, at RAF Northolt from 2 March 1943. He died in hospital from natural causes after a short illness and is buried at his family church of Saint Mary's, Podington, Bedfordshire. He is commemorated on the War Memorial of the Church. Service career Decorations Air Force Cross – 2 Jan 1922, Bar – 3 Jun 1930, Mentioned in Despatches – 24 Sep 1941. Ranks held Service record Army Royal Flying Corps RAF References External links Medal group of A H Orlebar, RAF Museum. Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies Burials in Bedfordshire Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment officers Royal Flying Corps officers British Army personnel of World War I Royal Air Force personnel of World War I Royal Air Force air marshals of World War II Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom) People educated at Rugby School 1897 births 1943 deaths English aviators British air racers Schneider Trophy pilots British aviation record holders Royal Air Force personnel killed in World War II Military personnel from Bedfordshire