Artifact #5

Marion Alice Orr

Marion Alice Orr was born June 25, 1918, in Toronto, Ontario. Marion’s interest and determinations in aviation eventually led to her becoming the manager and chief flight instructor for St. Catherine’s Flying Club, and she was the first woman in Canada to operate a flying club. Marion received her Private Pilot’s License in December of 1939. Powell applied to be an instructor for the RCAF but was denied because she was a woman. Despite the rejection, she was determined to fly and applied for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in United Kingdom and was accepted December of 1942. Throughout World War II, she ferried single and twin-engine military aircrafts, such as Hurricanes, Spitfires, Harvards, Ansons, Swordfish, and Tiger Moths from factories in the British Isles into the frontline bases and returning damaged aircrafts to be repaired. Marion Alice Powell’s determination and skills allowed her to pursue her dreams of flying and contributed to war efforts through the transportation of aircrafts.

Bibliography

“Marion Alice Orr - Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.” Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame -, May 17, 2021. https://cahf.ca/marion-alice-orr/.

“Marion Alice Orr.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, May 26, 2008. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/marion-alice-orr.

Canada, Library and Archives. “Collection Search - Marion Orr, Air Transport Auxiliary.” Library and Archives Canada, December 8, 2024. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?idnumber=3219609&app=fonandcol.