ORR William Robert
Born: Underwood 1in 897
Unit: Artillery Depot
Died: 15 February 1916
Age: 16
Buried: Scotch Cemetery
Died: 15 February 1916
Age: 16
Buried: Scotch Cemetery
Brother of Thomas Orr (WW1) and John Orr (Boer War)
This young fellow was aged about sixteen and living with his widowed mother on a farm at Underwood near Hollybank when war was declared in 1914. His father, William Orr had died in September, 1901 after suffering from a stroke. His elder brother John Orr was killed in November of 1901 during the Boer War in South Africa.
A popular young man, William left Underwood on Thursday 10th February 1916 for the Claremont Camp and joined up the next day. He was allowed final leave before embarkation and returned again on Saturday to say his farewells. He left again on Tuesday 15th February by train, reportedly “full of life and eagerness to commence his life as a soldier”.
On Tuesday afternoon 15/2/1916, in what was is still described as the most serious railway accident in Tasmanian history, Gunner William Orr lost his life when the express from Launceston (with 200 passengers) left the rails and the leading carriages toppled down an embankment near Campania.
This young fellow was aged about sixteen and living with his widowed mother on a farm at Underwood near Hollybank when war was declared in 1914. His father, William Orr had died in September, 1901 after suffering from a stroke. His elder brother John Orr was killed in November of 1901 during the Boer War in South Africa.
A popular young man, William left Underwood on Thursday 10th February 1916 for the Claremont Camp and joined up the next day. He was allowed final leave before embarkation and returned again on Saturday to say his farewells. He left again on Tuesday 15th February by train, reportedly “full of life and eagerness to commence his life as a soldier”.
On Tuesday afternoon 15/2/1916, in what was is still described as the most serious railway accident in Tasmanian history, Gunner William Orr lost his life when the express from Launceston (with 200 passengers) left the rails and the leading carriages toppled down an embankment near Campania.
Death Notice The Examiner
Gunner William Robert Orr youngest son of late William Orr Underwood. Killed in the railway accident at Campania, Aged 19.
On Wednesday the relatives of the late Gunner Orr were advised by the local military authorities that the deceased’s body would be coming to Launceston by the mail train that night. The local undertaker advised that the funeral would leave St Johns Church at 3 pm yesterday and went to the railway station to receive the coffin which however did not arrive. He had not been notified of the fact that the body was not aboard the mail and it was not until about 10 o’clock yesterday morning that he was informed indirectly it was still in Hobart and would come by the express. It transpired that the body missed this train also although the information mentioned was received a couple of hours after the express had let Hobart. Considerable inconvenience resulted as the relatives it is understood, came from the country to attend the funeral and did not know of the state of affairs until they saw an explanatory notice posted outside St Johns Church. The funeral has now been appointed to leave St Johns Church at 9 o’clock this morning.
Examiner 19/2/1916 GUNNER ORRS FUNERAL - The remains of the late Gunner Wm Robert Orr of Underwood arrived from Hobart by the mail train yesterday morning. They were conveyed to St Johns Church where at 9 o’clock a short service was held. The burial took place in the Scotch Cemetery and a short but impressive service was conducted at the graveside by Rev R W Greenwood of Lilydale. The Huon pine coffin was borne by returned soldiers - Sgt Hill and Ptes Montgomery and Giblin. Among the chief mourners was deceased’s brother (Staff Sgt Major Orr).
The Examiner 18/2/1916
Gunner William Robert Orr youngest son of late William Orr Underwood. Killed in the railway accident at Campania, Aged 19.
On Wednesday the relatives of the late Gunner Orr were advised by the local military authorities that the deceased’s body would be coming to Launceston by the mail train that night. The local undertaker advised that the funeral would leave St Johns Church at 3 pm yesterday and went to the railway station to receive the coffin which however did not arrive. He had not been notified of the fact that the body was not aboard the mail and it was not until about 10 o’clock yesterday morning that he was informed indirectly it was still in Hobart and would come by the express. It transpired that the body missed this train also although the information mentioned was received a couple of hours after the express had let Hobart. Considerable inconvenience resulted as the relatives it is understood, came from the country to attend the funeral and did not know of the state of affairs until they saw an explanatory notice posted outside St Johns Church. The funeral has now been appointed to leave St Johns Church at 9 o’clock this morning.
Examiner 19/2/1916 GUNNER ORRS FUNERAL - The remains of the late Gunner Wm Robert Orr of Underwood arrived from Hobart by the mail train yesterday morning. They were conveyed to St Johns Church where at 9 o’clock a short service was held. The burial took place in the Scotch Cemetery and a short but impressive service was conducted at the graveside by Rev R W Greenwood of Lilydale. The Huon pine coffin was borne by returned soldiers - Sgt Hill and Ptes Montgomery and Giblin. Among the chief mourners was deceased’s brother (Staff Sgt Major Orr).
The Examiner 18/2/1916
Commemoration:
Australian War Memorial Panel 22.
Memorial Garden of Remembrance, Cornelian Bay Cemetery Hobart.
The Scotch Cemetery operated from 1835-1928 and is now St Andrews Gardens in High Street Launceston. Many of the buried were transferred to Carr Villa.
Thanks to Kathy for preparing this information
Australian War Memorial Panel 22.
Memorial Garden of Remembrance, Cornelian Bay Cemetery Hobart.
The Scotch Cemetery operated from 1835-1928 and is now St Andrews Gardens in High Street Launceston. Many of the buried were transferred to Carr Villa.
Thanks to Kathy for preparing this information
Contact Heritage Lilydale if you are able to share more information.