Circumstances of Casualty: Died of Wounds. While reconnoitering in front of his Company’s objective, near Marly, East of Valenciennes, at about 7 a.m., November 2nd 1918, he was shot in the left groin by an enemy sniper. His wound was dressed and he was taken to No. 23 Casualty Clearing Station where he died sometime later.
BX November 8, 1918
Word has been received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Orr, 54 Albion Street, that Lieutenant John Percy Orr, M.C., was dangerously wounded on November 3. Lieut. Orr went overseas with the 125th Battalion and was transferred to the 54th in France, with which he has been serving for some time. He has been admitted to Number 1 Casualty Clearing Hospital.
BX December 11, 1918
Lieut. Jack Orr, M.C.- Bar, Dead – Brilliant Young Local Officer Died of Wounds
The sad intelligence was received today of the death of Lieut. Jack Orr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Orr, Albion Street. Lieut. Orr was wounded on November 8 and died at the 23rd Casualty Clearing Station on November 8. He was one of the best young officers who left Brantford, and won not only the M.C. for distinguished work in the field, but a bar to the M.C., an unusual honor to achieve. He went overseas with the 125th, and reverted to the ranks before proceeding overseas. In England he was granted his commission again, and again reverted to the ranks to go with his men to France. In France he won back his commission and further honors. The sincere sympathy will be extended the bereaved parents in the loss as indicated by the belated message just received.
BX December 14, 1918
Lieutenant John Percy Orr, M.C.; Popular Officer – Was First of 125th Officers to Be Awarded the Military Cross
“Regret to inform you Lieut. John P. Orr, M.C., 54th infantry, officially reported died of wounds at No. 23 Casualty Clearing Station, December 8, gunshot wound in left groin.”
The following message briefly tells of the passing of another one of Brantford’s sons in the great struggle for democracy. While no further details have been received, there is little doubt that the official news is only too true.
A member of the 125th Brant Battalion, Lieut. “Jack” Orr was one of the most popular of the younger officers, his kindly disposition and gentlemanly manner winning for him the respect and esteem of all who knew him, his never failing zeal for all things military making him a very efficient officer. After a preliminary course of training at Niagara Camp in the summer of 1915, he received a commission as lieutenant in the First Brant Battalion; however in order to proceed overseas he with several other officers reverted to the ranks, but was again granted his commission on arrival in England. After spending about 15 months training in England he was selected to go with a draft of officers to France, joining the 54th Battalion in November, 1916. In April of this year he was granted the Military Cross, being the first officer of the 125th to receive a decoration. Recently he had a bar added to the M.C. for further distinguished service. Keenly alive to his duty and thoughtful for the care of his men, he was a very popular officer. A returned veteran who knew him in France, said, on hearing of his death, that Lieut. Orr was one of the best.
Born in Brantford in January 1895, the late Lieut. Orr was educated at Victoria school and the Brantford Collegiate Institute. While at the latter Institution, he was connected with the cadet corps and took a deep interest in athletics, being a member of the basketball and football teams. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and of the “A.F.” class, and was associated with the Y.M.C.A.
In a letter to his parents recently he spoke of the probable ending of the war shortly, and of how pleased all the chaps would be to have it “over with” so that they could be back home again. Even after his wounds, which resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee, he wrote such cheery letters, that he was getting on so well and would be home in a short time. This coupled with the fact that the war is practically over, makes his death particularly sad.
To the bereaved parents Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Orr and his sisters, Mrs. N.W. Bragg, Misses Lena and Edna Orr, remain the fond memory of one who saw his duty and gave himself in the great struggle for world peace and democracy.
