orr

Gerald Peter Layton ORR. Son of Robert Gordon and Nell ORR (married in 1865) and the youngest of 5 children (Eleanor (b 1866); Katharine; Edward; Margaret; and Gerald). He was an officer in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of The Bedfordshire Regiment - shown in the London Gazette promoted from 2Lt to Lt on 16th September 1905. Nearly all the officers in the 3rd Volunteers became officers in 5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment on 1st April 1908. Lt G P L ORR was promoted to Temporary Captain wef 17th September 1914. He was appointed Battalion Adjutant wef 20th May 1915 and promoted to Temporary Major (but remained the Adjutant) wef 5th November 1915. In the Second World War, Major G P L ORR volunteered for the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps as a Lieutenant (No 119448 on 26th August 1940).

Having been a Territorial officer, (training once a month with a 2 week summer camp) Captain, later Major, GPL Orr principally served in in 3rd/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. This battalion was raised to recruit, muster and train replacements when 1st/5th Battalion went to Gallipoli in July 1915. The 3rd/5th Battalion was commanded by Lt Col Orlebar and was stationed variously at Bedford, Tring, Crowborough, St Leonards and Hastings. Additional detail at www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/5thbn/5thbattalion.html There is a card for Captain G P L Orr BEDFORDSHIRE in the National Archive Medal Card Index that shows he eventually went on active operations to the Salonika theatre, arriving on 28th April 1918. There is no indication as to the capacity in which he was serving there. //

According to the 1911 Census Gerald Orr was living at 29 Cavendish Road West, London NW. His occupation was an estate agent and he had been born in Highbury, Middlesex in 1884. He was living with his father and mother, Robert G & Eleanor Orr and his sister Margaret Orr. There vwas also a retired Captain from The Royal Engineers and 3 servants living in the house.

Gerald Peter Layton Orr died in Bedford in 1960.//

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/

Here's another one from the exact same view - www.flickr.com/photos/proni/6198173616/

Gregory PC Excellent, and with the same poster in situ, though taken on a gloomier day - no awnings out over the shop fronts! Says Circa 1905, hmmm!

Streetview

In 1886, Armagh had seventeen pillar and wall boxes. Every day the Post Office dealt with between 8000 and 9000 letters, about 250 parcels, 250-300 telegrams, as well as all the other services it performed for 22 hours a day. To mark the "extensions, alterations and re-arrangements" which were then almost complete, which had "transformed it into an entirely new office, probably more complete than in any other city of the empire with a similar population" the Belfast News-letter published an article extolling its work on November 12, 1886 Everything you ever wanted to know about Armagh Post Office Take that, Darjeeling!

The Royal Regiment of Artillery was created in 1756, per wikipedia

Gunner James Orr, 317475. Born Bridgeton, Glasgow.

Name: ORR Initials: James Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Gunner Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery Unit Text: 1st (Kent) Heavy Bty. Date of Death: 10/09/1917 Service No: 317475 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. E. 66. Cemetery: YPRES RESERVOIR CEMETERY

1/1st Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery RGA was a TF battery equipped with 60 pounder guns and went to France on 28th December 1915.//

This photograph was probably taken by Alexander ('Alec') Roberts of the Piershill Studio, Edinburgh, where he worked from 1908-1933, before moving to new premises at The Old Post Office, Northfield Road.//

James Orr appears to be the son of John, a Bricklayer, and Catherine Orr. He was born circa 1895 in Glasgow and had 5 siblings. The family lived at 3 Ann Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow at the time of the 1901 census.

His bio says he played shortstop and all other infield positions for two seasons with Philadelphia. Then it says he batted left and threw left. Well, this is quite odd because I have never heard of a left handed SS, 3B, or 2B man in the major leagues. It only makes sense to have a lefty at first base. By 1913, they should have figured this out.