Major Bob Orr
Regina Rifle Regiment

Throughout his entire service, Major Orr has shown exceptional initiative, resourcefulness and devotion to duty. His cheerfulness and magnificent sense of humour did much in maintaining the high spirit and morale of the troops under his command. His obvious concern for them was in great contrast to his utter disregard for his own safety.

(D.S.O. citation, 22 Jan 1946)

Born on 1 May 1917 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Robert James Orr was a student at the University of Saskatchewan when he volunteered with the Regina Rifle Regiment in 1940. Overseas, he transferred to the Carleton and York Regiment, serving in the Italian theatre as a company commander from the Battle of Ortona to the Gothic Line. He rejoined the Regina Rifles in Holland in November 1944 as second-in-command.

In addition to taking temporary command of the battalion on several occasions, he succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel Allan Gregory when he was appointed acting brigade commander in early April 1945. Orr earned the Distinguished Service Order during his brief but intense tenure. While he was called away to other duties, command of the battalion passed to Major Gordon Brown who led the Rifles in their final action of the war. Orr then volunteered for the Pacific theatre and received a promotion to lieutenant-colonel by the time of his discharge.

In civilian life, he worked as vice president in sales for auto manufacturing company. Orr died in British Columbia on 1 April 1996.