Captain, Royal Engineers. Assistant Chemist to Advanced GHQ, Italy (previously Lieutenant, 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers). Died from Illness, aged 26, on 3 January 1919 in Italy.
In November 1917 five Divisions of the British Army with supporting troops, including Royal Engineers, were sent to Italy to bolster the Italian Army against the Austria-Hungarian forces. Captain Orr was part of this effort.
Born at Tilbury, Essex, the son of Alexander Thomson Orr and Kathleen Jenny M Orr (nee Scullard) of Longford House, Holyhead. He was the husband of Hilda Stewart Orr (nee McKinstry). In 1901 he lived at Longford House, Holyhead with his father, Alexander (48), mother Kathleen (36) and brother Archbald Campbell Orr (15). His father, who originated from Row, Dumbartonshire, Scotland, was employed as Superintendent Marine Engineer for the LNWR at Holyhead. His mother was born at Portsmouth, Hampshire. In 1911 the family lived at the same address. His bother Archibald was employed as a Railway Clerk for the Marine Department, LNWR. In 1911 Alexander was a Student, aged 18, at the Royal Warwickshire Regiment Barracks at Budbrook, Warwick. His family later moved to The Hut, Fleet, Hampshire. His father died at Hampshire in 1930, aged 77. His mother died at Aldershot in 1935, aged 85.
He married Hilda Stewart McKinstry at St. Cybi, Holyhead on 21 October 1915. She was the daughter of Edward and Bessie McKInstry of Bod Ynys, Holyhead. Her father was the Agent and Marine Superintendent for the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, Holyhead. A daughter, Jean, was born at Chester in 1918. His wife remarried to John Greenshields at London in 1925. His wife received his service medals when resident at The Green, Curridge, Nr. Newbury, Berkshire.
Captain Orr was educated at Friars School, Bangor and previously at Larchfield Academy, Helensburgh, Scotland. He entered Manchester University in 1908, aged 16, and studied Mechanical Engineering. He was previously a Probationer (Apprentice?) for the LNWR at Ruthin. He served in the Manchester University Officer Training Corps from 1 November 1908 to 30 October 1912. At outbreak of war he volunteered for service and was gazetted as Lieutenant in September 1914 into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He entered France on 20 July 1915, with the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. On 9 January 1917 he was transferred to the General List for duty as an Anti-Gas Instructor. On 28 November 1917 he was promoted to Captain, Royal Engineers and was posted to Italy where he assumed the duty of Assistant Chemist, Adviser to Gas Services at the General Head Quarters (GHQ), Italy. It is reported that at some point he was wounded and also mentioned in despatches (this was probably whilst serving in France). He died of Broncho-pneumonia at No. 24 Casualty Clearing Station (CCS), Italy on 3 January 1919.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star (as Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers), Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Buried in the Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery, Italy. Grave located at Plot 10, Row A, Grave 1.
Also commemorated on the LNWR Roll of Honour.