Joseph Herbert Orr

Rank:

Corporal

Regimental number:

11308

Unit at enlistment:

4th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario

Commemorated at:

Zion Presbyterian Church

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Wentworth

Birth city:

Ancaster, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

117 Colborne Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

117 Colborne Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Saddler

Religious denominations:

Presbyterian

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

BX May 10, 1915

Word Received From Boys Who Were Wounded – Local Relatives Received Reassuring Letters by This Morning’s Mail – Cpl. Orr, Pte. Kerr and Pte. Houlding Will Soon Rejoin Their Regiments – Little News About the Fight

That Corporal Herbert J. Orr’s wounds are not as dangerous as at first thought is indicated in a letter received by his father, Joseph Orr, Colborne Street. Cpl. Orr was one of the first named casualties of Brantford men with the 4th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in France, he having been wounded at the Battle of Langemarck. He was formerly captain of the B.C.I. cadets here. He was wounded on the head with shrapnel, and in the legs with bullets.

The letter reads as follows:

April 25, 1915

Dear Parents:

Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting on. Yesterday I was wounded and removed to the General Hospital at Boulogne, and I am progressing fine. The wounds are of a light nature, and I do not think that I will be here long. They are gunshot wounds in the legs, and are more painful than dangerous.

I also received a flesh wound on the head from shrapnel, but it is of the lightest character, so I consider myself very lucky. I hope this reaches you before you see the casualty list, for it will save you a lot of anxiety.

Well it is getting dark, so I will close. We are very comfortable here, and it is quite a luxury to be in a bed again. With best wishes, I am your loving son,

Herbert

Wounded Seven Times

Later Mr. and Mrs. Orr received the following additional letter from their son:

April 27, 1915

My Dear Parents:

I wrote you yesterday telling you that I had been wounded. I was operated on at 11 a.m. shortly after I wrote you, and had the dent in my head fixed and also my right leg straightened. I received seven hits and only got five wounds, so got off very lucky. I have a wound in the left thigh, one in the left calf, one in the right shin, and one in the bottom of the right foot, also a shrapnel wound in the right side of the front part of my head. The other two hits did not enter my body. One was a spent shrapnel bullet which struck me in the throat, but did not enter through the coat collar, the other struck me over the heart – a rifle bullet which cut two of my clips in two and broke open the ammunition pouch, scattering the cartridges all around me. I forgot to mention that the bullet which entered my right shin cracked the front shin bones.

I rolled to a trench half full of water and watched the shells burst all day. I received my wounds between 5.30 and 6 o’clock and was carried about one mile from where I was at 8 o’clock in the evening, then rushed very rapidly here. The three men who picked me up out of the ditch belonged to the Royal Institute Rifles, and they had to cross an open fire going to get me. They also carried me off under fire. One of our boys stopped to aid me and bandaged my wounds, but was hit while doing so.

My address is No. 11308, Corporal H. Orr, Ward 5, No. 14 General Hospital, Dunereux, France; but any letters addressed to my old address I will receive.

Good bye and best wishes

Herbert

BX April 26, 1915

Word was received this morning from Ottawa that Corporal Joseph Herbert Orr, son of Joseph Orr, 117 Colborne Street, had been very dangerously wounded in the recent fighting and had been admitted on Saturday last to the hospital at Wimereux, France. Mr. Orr, senior, received the telegram this morning and feels the news keenly, while Mrs. Orr is grief-stricken.

Corporal J. Herbert Orr was a very well known young man in this city. While attending the Collegiate Institute here he joined the collegiate cadets, and by sheer perseverance and a delight in military work, he made his way up to the command of the corps. He was known as very keen on military work, and was tremendously popular with the boys under his command, the efficiency of the corps at this time being brought to a high level, largely through his efforts.

After he left that institution he joined the Dufferin Rifles with which he was connected for nine years. He showed in this corps the same efficiency and keenness that won him promotion with the B.C.I. cadets, and when he left the corps, some six months before the war broke out; he had attained the rank of color-sergeant.

When the call for volunteers came, he immediately responded, and did not quibble about his rank, joining as a private. He left with the first contingent from the Dufferin Rifles, passed all the examinations glowingly, and was promoted to be corporal for the efficiency he had shown, though the competition was great.

His father, Joseph Orr, harness maker, 117 Colborne Street, received word this morning from Ottawa of his condition in the following telegram:

Sincerely regret to inform you Corporal J. Herbert Orr, Fourth Battalion, officially reported dangerously ill from gun shot wound in head. Admitted to hospital at Wimereux on April 24. Further particulars when received will be sent to you.

Adjutant-General

BX September 24, 1915

Private Herb Orr Returning

Mr. John Orr, the well known local harness dealer, yesterday received a cablegram from his son, Private Herbert (Jake) Orr, apprising him of the fact that Private Orr had sailed for Canada on S.S. Missanabie yesterday. Pte. Orr was wounded in the head, arms and leg at Langemarck, being hit no less than seven times. Since that time Pte. Orr has been granted his discharge and will return to the city someday next week to remain here permanently.

BX October 2, 1915

Corporal Orr is on Way Home

Corp. Herbert Orr, who was wounded seven times at Langemarck, and who has since secured his discharge from further service, is expected to arrive in Canadian waters on the S.S. Missanabie today, and will probably reach the city at the first of the week. Corp. Orr is a prominent member of the Pastime Bowling club, and arrangements are being completed for bowlers in all parts of the city to turn out and welcome the hero home. Civic officials and the Dufferin Rifles, of which Corp. Orr was an active member prior to his enlistment, will probably be on hand also to extend a hearty welcome.

BX October 4, 1915

Invalided Soldiers – Three Brantford men Expected to Arrive in City Shortly

Three Brantford soldiers, who have been wounded or injured while on active service, are expected to return to the city tonight or tomorrow at the latest. Corp. Herbert Orr, who was wounded seven times at Langemarck, and who has since been granted his discharge papers, is due to return to the city permanently. Private Guy Wallace son of Mr. Tom Wallace, the well known caretaker at the Grand Trunk Station is expected to return to his home on Grand Street, he having been wounded severely in the arm. Lieut. Ransom Wilkes, who was severely injured in a motor cycle accident in England, while he was serving with the King Edward Horse, is expected to return with his parents, Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs. A.J. Wilkes, who have been spending several months in Europe.

Each of these soldiers, and Lieut.-Col. and Mrs. Wilkes, are believed to have been on S.S. Missanabie, which arrived in Quebec yesterday, and in Montreal this morning. Their arrival may be delayed here owing to the necessity of the soldiers having to appear before a medical board at Quebec. On their arrival here, however an effort will be made to accord the returning soldiers a civic reception.

BX October 12, 1915

Brantford Wounded Soldiers Returned – Corp. Herb. Orr, Wounded Seven Times, and Pte. Guy Wallace, With Paralyzed Arm, Returned to Their Homes Here. Having Been Invalided Home as Unfit Physically For Further Service

Wounded seven times in the legs and carrying the mark of a shrapnel bullet over his left temple, Corp. Herbert (Jake) Orr returned to his home in this city on Sunday evening, he having received his permanent discharge from the army as being medically unfit for further active service. Corp. Orr appears to be in the best of health although the wounds in his legs, four of which were received in one and three in the other, compel him to limp slightly. The wound in the head, which penetrated part of the skull, was made by a shrapnel bullet.

Corp. Orr is now the proud possessor not only of the shrapnel bullet, but also of two machine gun bullets which pierced his leg.

Corp. Orr, who was reluctant to speak for publication, has had a great many thrilling experiences during his sojourn at the front with the first contingent of Dufferin Rifles, many of whom were wiped out at the Battle of Langemarck, where Corp. Orr was wounded. Corp. Orr was a sergeant with the Dufferin Rifles at the time of his enlistment, he previously having been one of the most efficient captains who ever commanded the B.C.I. cadets, and his hobby as a soldier kept him in the limelight at the front, where his soldierly qualities were greatly appreciated by his commanding officers and fellow soldiers. His seven wounds were received in the famous charge at Ypres, where Corp. Orr states there was, at times, a veritable hail of bullets. So great in fact was the effect of the shells, and bullets, that fields which previous to a charge were covered with flourishing grain, were turned into apparently plowed fields, strewn with bodies of fallen comrades.

Corp. Orr returned last week on S.S. Missanabie, he having been detained in Quebec since that time, where he was examined before the medical board. Following his return to the city on Sunday, Corp. Orr has had a busy time renewing old acquaintances and delivering messages to the wives and friends of Brantford soldiers, whom he has left so recently. At the armories yesterday where Corp. Orr spent a few hours among former haunts, he consented to address the members of the active service companies, delivering a splendid and most appropriate talk to the soldiers who have taken their stand for their King and country, and who expect to leave in the course of time for service in the trenches.

Toronto Star, March 27, 1940

Plan Military Rites in Honor of J.H. Orr – Veteran Dies in Christie St. Hospital

Joseph H. Orr, 52, Great War Veteran, died yesterday in Christie Street hospital. He serve in France with the Fourth Battalion, in which he rose to corporal’s rank. He was wounded and discharged in 1915. His wife, Mrs. Verda Orr, Davisville Ave, survives.

He will be accorded military honors at his funeral, which will be held Thursday at 3.30 p.m. from the Hopkins-Golden chapel, Yonge St. to the veterans’ plot, Prospect cemetery.