Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Captain J. A. Orr, Cameron Highlanders, killed in action on 22 October 1914

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (Lieut., 1/Cam’n. Highrs.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Lieut., Cam. Hrs); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt., Cam’n. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Coronation 1911, mounted for display, good very fine and better (6) £500-600

John Arthur Orr was born on 15 January 1879, the eldest son of Mr J. O. and Mrs O. Orr of St. Margaret’s, North Berwick. Educated at Loretto and Sandhurst, he entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment on 11 February 1899. In April the same year he transferred to the Cameron Highlanders. Promoted Lieutenant on 6 June 1900 he served with his regiment during the Boer War, taking part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February - May 1900, including the actions at Vet River and Zand River; in the Transvaal, May - June 1900, including the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and at Diamond Hill; in the Orange River Colony, June - November 1900, including the actions at Wittebergen and Ladybrand; in the Transvaal, January - September 1901 and October 1901 - May 1902. For his services he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901). After the war he was promoted Captain on 23 October 1905 and Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, 5 December 1904 - 4 December 1907.

A noted shot and golfer, Captain Orr captained the winning team in the Smith Dorrien Competition at the Aldershot Command Rifle Meeting, 1911 and won the Fettesian-Corinthian Golf Club Gold Medal in 1910, was runner-up in 1912, won the Hon. Company of Edinburgh Golfers Gold Medal in 1913 and the Fettesian-Corinthian Golf Club Spring Medal in 1914.

At the outbreak of war Captain Orr was attending Camberley Staff College. Proceeding to France he joined the 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders. He was killed in action on 22 October 1914, aged 35 years. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

The following account is taken from The Sword of the North by Dugald MacEchern (reprinted in the Records of the Cameron Highlanders): ‘Among the officers of the Camerons to fall on 22 Oct. 1914 were Captain J. A. Orr and Lieutenant I. B. Sprot. It is told of Captain Orr that, being considered by many competent judges to be the best infantry officer of his standing, and living but for his Regiment, he when in action or manoeuvres would never, on principle, retire, nor would he take any part in directing his Company on a retirement. To this principle he was faithful to the end. After a fearful hand-to-hand encounter North of Ypres, his Company practically wiped out and his flanks in the air, and the enemy behind a hedge only thirty yards away, he was last seen running towards them alone. Thus fell a ‘very gallant gentleman’ - tried by fire and coming forth like gold.’