Robert Orr likeness

Robert Orr cap badgeSapper Robert Orr

Royal Engineers 2/2nd (Lowland) Field Company
Service No: 2365

Robert Orr grave

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Click here for a frameable A4 print
Personal details

Family Information

Son of Robert and Isabella Orr of 49b Bank St, Coatbridge. The only 1901 Census Record that matches - Address - 21 Simpson St, Glasgow Kelvinside - Robert Orr aged 46, Isabella Orr aged 46, James Orr aged 19, Margaret Orr aged 10, John Orr aged 11, Robert Orr aged 7, Neil Orr aged 3, fathers nieces Margaret Plowman aged 10, Christina Plowman aged 16. Robert's Pension was awarded to his mother Isabella on the 07/09/1916.

Born / Resided

Hamilton / 2 Finlaystone St, Blairhill, Coatbridge

Died

Killed in Action on the 12/07/1915 at the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah, Gallipoli

Enlisted

Coatbridge

Employed

Boilermaker with Hamilton and Calder Boiler Works

Age

18 / DOB - /03/1897

Buried / Remembered

Helles Memorial (Panel 24 to 26 or 325 to 328), Turkey

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The eight month campaign in Gallipoli was fought by Commonwealth and French forces in an attempt to force Turkey out of the war, to relieve the deadlock of the Western Front in France and Belgium, and to open a supply route to Russia through the Dardanelles and the Black Sea. The Allies landed on the peninsula on 25-26 April 1915; the 29th Division at Cape Helles in the south and the Australian and New Zealand Corps north of Gaba Tepe on the west coast, an area soon known as Anzac. On 6 August, further landings were made at Suvla, just north of Anzac, and the climax of the campaign came in early August when simultaneous assaults were launched on all three fronts. However, the difficult terrain and stiff Turkish resistance soon led to the stalemate of trench warfare. The Helles Memorial serves the dual function of Commonwealth battle memorial for the whole Gallipoli campaign and place of commemoration for many of those Commonwealth servicemen who died there and have no known grave. The United Kingdom and Indian forces named on the memorial died in operations throughout the peninsula, the Australians at Helles. There are also panels for those who were lost at sea, in one of the troopships sunk off Gallipoli. Over 20,000 names are commemorated on this memorial.

Additional Information

The 2/2nd (Lowland) Field Company were part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division from March 1915. Robert arrived at Gallipoli on the 29/06/1915. Robert was Killed in Action 13 days later at the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah. The Battle (12th and 13th July 1915) : The order was given to charge the Turkish defences in the late afternoon of the 12th of July 1915. As was the case throughout the campaign, the fighting was conducted at close quarters, with some trenches almost within touching distance. The Battle proved to be an overwhelming disaster. On the 12th July, the 52nd Lowland suffered 2427 casualties, of which 1065 were killed. On the 5th April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service; on the 7th May this was confirmed, with the destination being Gallipoli. The units embarked at Liverpool and Devonport between the 18th May and 8th June. Disaster struck on the 22nd May when a train carrying the Battalion HQ and two Companies of the 1/7th Royal Scots crashed in an accident at Quntinshill near Gretna. 3 Officers and 207 men died, 5 Officers and 219 were injured. Fewer than 70 men survived this crash unscathed. Two of the Field Artillery Brigades and the heavy battery remained on the Forth defences. The first units landed on Gallipoli (Cape Helles) on the 6th June. There are four other Memorials to the Missing at Gallipoli. The Lone Pine, Hill 60, and Chunuk Bair Memorials commemorate Australian and New Zealanders at Anzac. The Twelve Tree Copse Memorial commemorates the New Zealanders at Helles. Naval casualties of the United Kingdom lost or buried at sea are recorded on their respective Memorials at Portsmouth, Plymouth and Chatham, in the United Kingdom. Robert's name on the Helles Memorial donated by Mick McCann at britishwargraves.co.uk. Robert is also remembered on the Coatbridge College and Blairhill United Free Churches Rolls of Honour (see photos) and in the St Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, his name on the Helles Memorial, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, Robert's Pension Record x 2 and the Royal Engineers Cap Badge.

Photos
Robert Orr Medal Index CardRobert Orr newspaper clippingRobert Orr newspaper clippingRobert Orr newspaper clippingRobert Orr remembered at homeRobert Orr remembered at homeRobert Orr remembered at homeRobert Orr remembered at homeRobert Orr additional photoRobert Orr additional photoRobert Orr additional photoRobert Orr additional photoRobert Orr additional photoRobert Orr additional photo

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