Charles Orr



Dec 8, 1898

Born in Tweed, Ontario to Samuel Thomas and Cynthia (nee Vardy) Orr

 

Jan 5, 1917

Attested into the 254th Battalion CEF in Tweed, Ontario

Ø  Number 1093217

Ø  Next of kin given as Samuel Orr, father, Tweed, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

o   Later noted as Machinist

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

 
The battalion trained in the Belleville area

Charles’ brother, James Franklin Orr, had previously attested into the 59th Battalion in May of 1915

 

May 16, 1917

Transferred to the #3 Special Service Company in Kingston, Ontario

 

Jul 11, 1917

Transferred to the GGFG (Governor General’s Foot Guard) Training Depot

 

Jul 17, 1917

Transferred to the PPCLI (Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry) Depot

 
Charles Orr was held back from proceeding to England as he was under the age of 19 and this is the reason for him being moved from unit to unit while in Canada

 

Aug 15, 1917

Charles’ brother, James, was killed in action at Hill 70, near Lens, France

 

Sep 30, 1917

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

 

Oct 17, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Seaford where he was posted to the 7th Reserve Battalion to continue training

 

Oct 26, 1917

Medical Board in Seaford makes note of his Flat Feet and that he is underage, stating that the soldier declares that he is 18, but he looks to be 17

 

Feb 15, 1918

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Sep 4, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 5, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 9, 1918

After leaving the base depot he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast

 

Sep 12, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Orr joined the 21st Battalion in Division Reserve on the Drocourt Queant Line as part of a draft of 24 reinforcements

 

Oct 3, 1918

During an enemy artillery attack, Private Orr received a shrapnel wound to his head and was evacuated to the 2/3 British London Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 4 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

 

Oct 5, 1918

Transferred to the No. 18 General Hospital in Camiers

 

Oct 9, 1918

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples to continue his recovery

 

Oct 10, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot in Cayeux to continue his recovery

 

Nov 3, 1918

Discharged from the convalescent depot and joined the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples and was assigned to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

 

Nov 11, 1918

After leaving the base depot he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast

 

Nov 14, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Orr rejoined the 21st Battalion in billets in Mesvin, Belgium, south of Mons

  

Dec 13, 1918

The 21st Battalion led the 4th Brigade across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the occupying force and proceeded to the town of Seigburg

 

  

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre

  

On arrival in England he was posted to “P” Wing at Witley for processing for return to Canada

 

Apr 21, 1919

Medical Board in Witley makes note of Flat Feet and defective hearing.  The Flat Feet was noted on enlistment, but the defective hearing was determined to have been the result of his service at the front

 

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

 

 
 

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded by train to Kingston, Ontario

 

May 24, 1919

Arrived in Kingston

 

 
Discharged from the CEF in Kingston

 Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277308

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 487 Sherbrooke St., Peterborough, Ontario

 
Following his discharge the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 98 Gladstone Ave., Peterborough, Ontario

 

Oct 21, 1925

Married to Flossie Luella Ballantyne in St Luke’s Church, Peterborough, Ontario

 

Jul 16, 1971

Died in Peterborough, Ontario and buried in the Little Lake Cemetery there.

 

 



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