Third time lucky hope for WWII RAF plotter, 99, to fly for Help for Heroes

The former World War II RAF plotter from Camborne is taking to the skies in a glider again just before she becomes a centenarian, to help raise funds for Help for Heroes.

The charity says it is assured that the technical issues experienced at RNAS Culdrose have been rectified and all parties will be gathering at the main gate at 9:30am on Friday April 15 for a 10am flight.

Kate Orchard, who lives in Camborne, will take flight at the Seahawk Gliding Club, RNAS Culdrose, near Helston.

She said: “I had a flight a few years ago, where I was allowed to take the controls for a while, which was most enjoyable. And I’m looking forward to repeating the experience while raising money for Help for Heroes.

“I believe passionately that it’s very important that all ex-military personnel are looked after, especially those unfortunate enough to have physical or psychological injuries.”

Kate was a 'plotter' identifying Nazis in the Second World War Picture: Bentley Orchard/SWNS

Kate was born into a large Anglo-Indian family of 13 brothers and sisters, with her father working as a chief telegraph inspector on the Indian railways.

In 1941 India created the Women’s Auxiliary Corps (India), recruiting women to help the war effort and 20-year-old Kate and two of her sisters volunteered. A year later she was working in the Air Defence Centre, Number 5 Filter Room, alongside both the RAF and the Indian Air Force, as a plotter/teller on 24-hour watches, plotting aircraft targets and sending signals to the air warning systems.

She rose to the rank of Warrant Officer First Class and became a trainer of new plotters. She also met her husband, Bill, during the war who was serving in India with the Royal Artillery before he was, later, sent to Burma. Having married in 1944, after the cessation of hostilities, in 1946, the couple moved to Bill’s home in Cornwall – Kate’s first visit to the ‘homeland’.

She wears proudly her 1939-45 Service and India Service Medals when attending VE Day and VJ Day Remembrance Day services and was present at Bentley Priory in 2015 for the Battle of Britain 75th anniversary commemorations.

She was also invited to attend the recent annual Battle of Britain Sunday service, at Westminster Abbey, which was also attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the Prime Minister and many other dignitaries. Indeed, she enjoyed a friendly chat with their Royal Highnesses at a reception following the event.

Kate is a decorated war veteran Picture: Bentley Orchard/SWNS

And, in recognition of her past service to the UK (Overseas) in the second world war, as one of the WAAF personnel manning and operating the Dowding System, she was made a Veteran Member of the Association of Royal Airforce Fighter Control Officers.

Help for Heroes’ Area Fundraising Manager, John Carpenter, said: “Kate is a truly amazing lady, full of spirit – but I suppose we should expect nothing less of the generation that served us so well during our darkest days.

“And for her to do this to help support the service personnel who followed in her footsteps is a wonderful gesture. Our veterans inspire us on a daily basis and, I’m sure, in turn, they will be inspired by this remarkable lady. We can only thank her from the bottom of our hearts and hope she enjoys the experience enormously. Something tells me she certainly will …”

Help for Heroes believes those who serve our country deserve support when they’re wounded. Every day, men and women have to leave their career in the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds. The Charity helps them, and their families, to recover and get on with their lives. It has already supported more than 26,500 people and won’t stop until every wounded veteran gets the support they deserve.