Tributes to racing driver and Coddenham dad, Robin Ormes

In the weeks after his death, Robin’s family are looking back on an incredible life, which included a decorated military career, racing in top-level competitions – and even a role in a film alongside Steve McQueen.

Robin was born in Stowmarket on June 20, 1938. He was the elder of two sons born to Alex Harvey and Katherine Isobel, with younger brother Michael completing the family eight years later.

Like many of his relatives, Robin followed the family tradition of not going by his first name. So, although he was christened George, to everyone who knew him, he was always Robin, a nickname given to him at birth.

Robin Ormes born in Stowmarket in 1938. Image: Family of Robin Ormes (Image: Family of Robin Ormes) Robin Ormes pictured with his parents, Alex Harvey and Katherine Isobel. Image: Family of Robin Ormes (Image: Family of Robin Ormes) Robin attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to train as an officer. He passed out as a Second Lieutenant, and went on to join the Royal Army Service Corps. Image: Family of Robin Ormes (Image: Family of Robin Ormes)

Robin attended Hillcroft Preparatory School in Haughley Green and then Woodbridge School as a boarder. Whilst at Woodbridge, he joined the Army Cadet Corps, signing up for a career with the Suffolk Regiment at Gibraltar Barracks in Bury St Edmunds.

There, Robin rose to the ranks of Lance Corporal with the Suffolk Regiment before attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to train as an officer. Robin passed out as a Second Lieutenant, and went on to join the Royal Army Service Corps.

Robin thoroughly enjoyed his time in the forces; he loved the lifestyle, the training, and the tradition.

Robin was, said his wife, Patricia, completely sport mad. His particular favourites were football, cricket, tennis, golf and hockey, with Robin at one point playing hockey for the British Army of the Rhine while serving in Germany. In his later years, Robin would play for Stowmarket Cricket Club, serving as president of the club from 1990 to 2010, when he became an honorary life vice-president.

Robin was well-respected in the army and became a decorated officer after earning a medal from a skirmish in Brunei, north Borneo.

However, by 1965 he was ready for a change, and jumped at the opportunity to become a croupier in the Bahamas.

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Here, Robin was finally able to devote more time to one of his great passions, motor racing. He became greatly involved with the Grand Bahama Racing Club. It was in the Bahamas that Robin met the famous American racing driver Roger Penske. In fact, Robin bought Penske’s racing car from him a Lola T70 MK3B, capable of speeds higher than 210 miles per hour. 

Robin cherished this racing car until it was sold off in the late 1970s.

In 1970, Robin was a driver in the Le Mans 24-hour race. This is an endurance-focused contest with drivers at the highest levels. Robin was no stranger to racing by this time, having also competed in the USA at Daytona and Sebring.

The footage from the event was made into the 1971 film Le Mans, starring Steve McQueen. Robin’s family still get a thrill from seeing his Lola T70 whizzing around the racetrack and seeing his name in the movie credits.

Robin, standing to the right, pictured with film star Steve McQueen (Image: Family of Robin Ormes) Robin was an experienced racer, having devoted himself to the sport after he moved to the Bahamas. Image: Family of Robin Ormes (Image: Family of Robin Ormes)

Robin took part in the 1971 film Le Mans, starring Steve McQueen. Image: Family of Robin Ormes (Image: Family of Robin Ormes)

Robin preparing to race with the Grand Bahama Racing Club. Image: Family of Robin Ormes (Image: Family of Robin Ormes) Motor racing was one of Robin Ormes' main passions. Image: Family of Robin Ormes (Image: Family of Robin Ormes) Robin prepares for his car to be loaded onto the QE2 liner, with Tim Stock lending a hand. (Image: Family of Robin Ormes) Robin was experienced in racing cars which could reach speeds of over 210 miles per hour. Image: Family of Robin Ormes (Image: Family of Robin Ormes)

The 1970s found Robin selling Aston Martin sports cars while residing in Cheyne Row, Chelsea. He then travelled and worked around the world to far-flung places, mostly in New Zealand and Australia. In 1981, he left Darwin on an open-topped boat for Bali, and from their to Port Said in Egypt where he boarded the SS Canberra liner found for Southampton.

By this time, Robin was ready to return to the UK. Suffolk he always kept a special place in Robin’s heart, and he remained a lifelong supporter of Ipswich Town.

This was how he came to meet Patricia, having journeyed to Nottingham in 1993 to see the Blues play against Nottingham Forest.

Robin and Patricia Ormes, pictured on their wedding day. Image: Family of Robin Ormes (Image: Family of Robin Ormes)

Robin first spotted Patricia in a bar, and then again at a nightclub.

“I could see him walking up and down, plucking up the courage to come and speak to me,” said Patricia.

It was love at first sight, and the couple tied the knot in 1994. Later that year, their son, James, arrived, and the Ormes became a family of three, eventually settling near Coddenham.

Robin loved his new life with his family, teaching James about history and visiting castles all around the UK.

“He was so laid back,” said Patricia. “Robin never had a bad word to say about anyone. He never got stressed about anything – he was happy just plodding along.”

In recent years, Robin was diagnosed with cancer. He remained positive and continued enjoying his life and his family as best he could, until his health declined in the past year.

Robin died on April 28, aged 85.

To read more tributes to those in Suffolk we have loved and lost, click here