Ref ID: 8517
Name
Andrew Orr.
Description
Andrew Orr.
Life Story
Name: Andrew Orr.
Service Number: 55918.
Rank: Private.
Battalion: 19th Battalion.
Regiment: Canadian Infantry.
Born: 17th August 1893, Kilbright, County Down.
Died: 31st July 1916.
Address: Ballywhiskin, Millisle, County Down
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Andrew Orr, son of John and Mary Orr, grandson of Nicholas and Elizabeth Orr, is connected to 5 Crimea Street, Shankill Road, Belfast
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Andrew joined the 13th R Regiment on the 23rd October 1914 before transferring to the 19th Infantry Battalion, C.E.F, on the 11th November 1914 in Toronto.
He set sail aboard the S.S Scandinavian from Montreal on the 13th May 1915.
Andrew arrived in England and was based in Shorncliffe Army Camp on the 23rd May 1915.
On the 14th September 1915, setting off from Southampton. he was then posted as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force to Boulogne, France.
Andrew was a Private 19th Battalion Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, when he was Killed In Action on the 31st July 1916 age 22 years.
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A local newspaper states.
BALLYWHISKEN SOLDIERS FATE - A PATRIOTIC FAMILY
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Mr John Orr, Ballywhisken, Millisle, has received official intimation of the death of his son, Andrew Orr, who was attached to the 19th Canadian Battalion of Infantry, while on duty on 31st July. Major G.F Morrison, commanding the battalion, writes -
Dear Mr Orr - It is with profound regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, No 55918, Private Andrew Orr, of the battalion under my command, which occurred on the 31st July 1916.
He was on the duty in the front line trenches with his company on that day, and at 9.30 pm, was shot through the head, and instantly killed, by a German sniper. He was buried in a recognised military cemetery behind the firing line by brigade chaplain, and a cross bearing his number, name, regiment and date of decease will be erected over his grave.
Your son was a good soldier, and had been with his battalion since its formation for active service, during which time he had earned the respect and esteem of his officers and comrades alike, and his loss is deeply deplored by all.
The example of patriotism set by Mr John Orr's family and relatives is one on which he should feel proud, and one which, we think, in addition to his gallant son Andrew, referred to above, has the following sons serving the King - Rifleman John Orr, at the front with the Ulster Division Private Frances Orr, at present training with one of the battalions on Canada Hugh Orr, called up from the naval reserve, and now serving on H.M.S Illustrious Nicholas Orr, 86th Mackey Gun Battalion, now training at Shorncliff Camp England. Mr John Orr's brother, Hugh Orr, was in the Highland Light Infantry, and was killed in action on the 21st May 1915. Frances Orr (half brother) was killed in action in May 1915 James Orr (half brother) is on active service at the front with a Scotch Regiment, and another half brother (Robert Orr) is a drill sergeant in a Scotch Regiment. Well done the Orr's
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Andrew records states that in the event of his death that a Miss S Murray, 9 Edith Avenue, West Toronto Ontario be notified
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The Orr family are wrote about in greater depth within the Barry Niblock Great War Memorial Book, The War Dead of North Down and Ards
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This family lost five members, with Andrew losing his brother John, while also losing his uncles Francis, Nicholas and Hugh.
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Andrew Orr - K.I.A.
John Orr - Brother K.I.A
Hugh Orr - Uncle K.I.A.
Francis Orr - Uncle K.I.A.
Nicholas Orr - Uncle K.I.A.
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Others within the Orr Family that Served included
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Hugh Orr Served Royal Navy Brother.
Nicholas Orr Served 86th Mackey Gun Battalion Brother.
Francis Orr Served Canadian Expeditionary Force Brother.
Robert Orr D.C.M Served Royal Scots Uncle.
James Orr Served Scottish Regiment Uncle
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Andrews Will, dated the 21st September 1915, stated the following, In the event of my death I give the whole of my property and effects to my father, John Orr, Ballyferris, Ballywalter. County Down Ireland
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See brother also: 774 Rifleman John Orr 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
See brother also: 174360 Private Nicholas Orr 86th Machine Gun Battalion C.E.F.
See brother also: S.S 107946 Stoker 1 Hugh Orr Royal Navy.
See brother also: 757998 Private Francis Orr 19th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force.
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See Uncle also: 8298 Rifleman Frank Orr 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
See Uncle also: 741 Rifleman Nicholas Orr 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
See Uncle also: 9285 Private Hugh Orr 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry.
See Uncle also: 15223 Company Sergeant Major Robert Orr 13th Battalion The Royal Scots.
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Andrew received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star
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He is Remembered at Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.
To Remember Is To Honour
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Footnote.
Although five of the Orr family were not born or grew up on the Shankill Road, and the connection is simply that their grandparents lived within it, S.A.S.H believe that it is only right to keep this family and their sacrifice together, and do so to show the depth of Loyalty, Devotion and Commitment that this family, and many many more, had to their King and Country at this time
.
The saying All Gave Some, Some Gave All, relates to many families within Ireland at that time, and therefore it is appropriate for this family to be highlighted and kept as one.
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Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
0
Classification
Newspaper,
,
Photograph
