Robin "Pop" OrdellDFC (16 June 1920 – 3 February 1945) was an Australian actor and radio announcer. He acted as a child in his father Tal's film The Kid Stakes, later working with the radio station 2GB as a teenager and adult. He was killed in the Second World War.
Ordell was born in Sydney on 16 June 1920 to nurse Ethel Phillips and actor Tal Ordell.[1][2] Tal had acted for around two decades before his son's birth.[3]
In January 1927, aged six, Ordell was cast in his father's film The Kid Stakes as the main character, Fatty Finn.[4]The Sunday Times described him as a "wistful looking youngster, with a direct heart appeal, and an uncanny instinct for his work. His sense of comedy and face play of varying emotions are delightful."[5]
In the mid-1930s, Ordell began acting in radio plays for 2GB. He appeared as Peter HeywoodinThe Mutiny of the Bounty (1934) and as the boy in Murder at 2FC (1935).[6][7] He appeared in other serials throughout the late 1930s like Raising a Family.[8]
After graduating from Sydney Grammar School in 1937, Ordell joined 2GB as a junior radio announcer.[9] In 1939,[a] when Dick Fair was transferred from the early morning radio session (between 6:00 and 8:45a.m.) to the evening programme, Ordell filled his place, becoming the youngest radio announcer in Australia at the time.[9]
In June 1940, Ordell created The Youth Show, a programme on 2GB focusing on radio stars below the age of 21.[10] It was broadcast throughout Australia.[11]
In late 1941, Ordell underwent medical examinations and was accepted by the Royal Australian Air Force to serve as an airman in the Second World War.[12]The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers' Advocate explained that "always a flying fanatic, Robin has realised his boyhood ambitions, and holds high hopes of becoming a fighter pilot."[12] On 25 April 1942, he enlisted in Woolloomooloo; Jack Davey replaced him as morning announcer on 2GB.[2][13] During his service, Ordell trained as a pilot in Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme and performed for other servicemen during posting in London.[14][15][16][17] He was assigned to No. 100 Squadron RAF, serving as an Avro Lancaster bomber pilot.[17]
On 3 February 1945, Ordell, a flight lieutenant, engaged in a bombing raid against industrial plants in Germany's Ruhr region.[17] During the raid, he and five other crew members were killed in action when their plane was shot down.[17][18] The only survivor, tail gunner J. Harper, was wounded and taken prisoner.[17] Initially reported missing in action, Ordell's body was recovered and buried in Venraij before being interred in Mierlo War Cemetery after the war.[1][17][18] In April 1946, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "displaying the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty."[17][19]
