Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John William Orr (known as both John and William or Will) was born on 4 April 1886 at Maheno, Otago, the third son of John and Matilda (née Cullen) Orr. He was born exactly two years before his brother Rob who enlisted on the same day as Will and was to lose his life a few months before Will. John and his siblings were educated at Maheno School. He was medically examined on 29 May 1916. When he enlisted on 1 June 1916 at Trentham, he was a ploughman for J. Trezise at Makikikhi, although he gave his address as Maheno. Single and Presbyterian, he named his father as next-of-kin – Mr J. Orr, Maheno, Otago. Private J. W. Orr embarked with the Auckland Infantry Battalion of the 17th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington for Devonport, England on 25 September 1916 per the “Devon”. Proceeding overseas to France on 1 February 1917, he joined the 2nd Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment on 28 February 1917.

The casualty list (No. 694) issued on 18 October 1917 included 222 dead, among them J. W. Orr, 26966, A.I.R., killed in action on 4 October. He may have been first reported missing.

“Privates Robert Charles Orr and John William Orr, whose names, appeared in our roll of honour yesterday [22 October 1917], left for the front together about 18 months ago. Robert was reported missing on February 21, and is now reported dead. John was killed in action, on October 4th. Both were remarkably sturdy specimens of New Zealand manhood and were well and widely liked at Maheno, where general sympathy will be felt with Mr and Mrs John Orr in their loss.” John William Orr was killed in action in the field at Ypres, Belgium on 4 October 1917, aged 31 years. His name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial at the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Belgium. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Mrs John Orr, Main Road, Maheno wrote on 8 December 1918, seeking information on her two sons – 26967 Robert Charles Orr and 26966 John William Orr – where they were buried and anything concerning their watches or personal things they had on them. Will and Bob are remembered on their parents’ beautiful headstone in the Maheno Cemetery. Joh Orr died on 23 October 1922 at Maheno and Matilda on 25 September 1946. Their names are inscribed on the Maheno War Memorial which was unveiled on 18 July 1918. The service commenced with hymns and prayers, followed by a brief address and the reading of the names of the fallen. The service closed with the playing of the “Dead March in Saul”. An unveiling of memorial addresses to the parents of those who had fallen followed. The addresses were “a testimonial to the parent and his son, a memento of honour and love.” North Otago memorial oaks were planted in 1919. 37 names were recorded at the Maheno war memorial grove. In October 2025, the single oak commemorating the Orr brothers had to be removed for safety reasons. On 10 November 2025, two new oaks were planted in nearby Kakanui Valley Road where they will be protected. “. . . their names, service and their stories endure, not only on memorials far away, but here in Maheno, where these oaks will grow strong and tall in their memory. It is fitting, therefore, that their memorial oaks stand in this place, a living tribute to two local boys who gave their lives for king and country during the Great War – may their courage and devotion never be forgotten.” [Otago Daily Times, 15 November 2025.]

George Herbert Orr, a brother of Will and Bob, also served in World War One, embarking a month after Will was killed. An uncle, William Bailey Cullen, also served in World War One, as did seven cousins – Arthur Stewart Cullen; Francis John O’Rourke and Thomas Duncan O’Rourke; George Albert Watson, William Winter Watson (died of wounds in 1916) and Leonard Jack Watson (killed in action in 1916); Albert George Williams. These are all relatives of his mother’s family, Matilda having been brought up in Timaru.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [16 November 2025]; CWGC [18 November 2025]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [16 November 2025]; Otago Daily Times, 10 November 2025 (personal copy) [10 November 2025]; Evening Star, 18 & 19 October 1917, Press, 19 October 1917, Oamaru Mail, 19, 22 & 23 October 1917, 19 July 1918, North Otago Times, 19, 22 & 24 October 1917, 19 July 1918, Otago Daily Times, 19 October 1917, Timaru Herald, 19 October 1917 (Papers Past) [16 & 18 November 2025]; Maheno Cemetery headstone transcription [16 November 2025]; Maheno Cemetery headstone image (Find a Grave) [16 November 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.