Tasmanian War Casualties

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Thank you from Gravesites of Tasmania.

ORR, JOHN

Rank Corporal	Unit Fourth Tas Contingent, Second Imperial Bushmen	Date of Death 18 November 1901
Service Number 213	Service Colonial Military Forces	Cause of Death Killed In Action

Corporal Orr was born on the 23^rd April 1880 at Moor Row, Cumberland England and was the eldest son of Mr. William Orr of Underwood Tasmania where they had been living for the past 16 years.

He was a member of the Second Imperial Contingent, under Colonel Watchorn. His brother writes that he has “a half crown and a two shilling piece that were struck by a bullet in his belt.

His death was reported as following

“I have the honour to report for your information that during the engagement with the Boers on November 18^th 1901, at Reitpoort, a farm about 13 miles east of Jameston, No. 213 Corporal John Orr was killed.

Corporal Orr rode within thirty yards of the enemy, when he was shot in three places and died instantly. He was riding at the head of his column in his usual place, scouting. His loss is deeply regretted by every man in his regiment. He had frequently distinguished himself by capturing Boers, both when single handed, and when with his comrades, the last occasion being when he and No 268 Charles Cawthorn galloped up and captured a picket of five armed Boers.”

In a letter Private C Richardson stated

“We buried him on the spot and did his grave up beautifully”

Extracted from

Tasmanians in the Transvaal War by John Bufton

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.