The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Gunner William Robert Orr, Artillery Depot, AIF, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Joanna Smedley, the story for this day was on Gunner William Robert Orr, Artillery Depot, AIF, First World War.

Gunner William Robert Orr, Artillery Depot, AIF
Accidentally killed 15 February 1916
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 26 January 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Gunner William Robert Orr.

William Orr was born on 30 September 1897 to William and Elizabeth Orr. He grew up in Underwood, Tasmania, where his father worked the land. In 1901 his father suffered a stroke while attending an Agricultural Conference in Westbury near Launceston. After several months spent as an invalid, he died in his brother’s home in Launceston.

William Orr’s older brother John had joined the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushman Contingent, and went to South Africa to participate in the Boer War. Just a few weeks after their father died, word was received that Lance Corporal John Orr had been killed in action at Rietpoort on 18 November 1901.

William Orr took up farming as a young man, but left in February 1916 to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. He was posted to the Field Artillery and began training as a gunner.

A little over a week after entering camp, Orr was given unexpected leave and returned to Underwood to visit his family. That weekend a farewell social was held in his honour, and Orr expressed his eagerness to commence his career as a soldier.

On 15 February Gunner William Orr boarded the express train to return to camp. There were some 40 or 50 other new recruits returning to Claremont Camp on the same train. As the train neared Hobart, at around four o’clock in the afternoon, it left the rails and plunged down an embankment. Orr was killed, along with four others, one of whom was also a new recruit headed to join up, James Quinn. Two more passengers died later of their injuries.

Military authorities in Tasmania arranged for a military funeral for the young soldier, but the family preferred a quiet ceremony at the local church in Launceston. Nevertheless, Orr’s popularity ensured a large congregation at his funeral, including a number of his fellow recruits from Claremont.

William Orr was 18 years old. His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 Australians who died during the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Gunner William Robert Orr, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section