Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

1st Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

November 10th, 1945

Citation:
"Major Robert James Orr rejoined the 1st Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment at Nijmegen in November 1944. He had served for nine months with the Carleton and York Regiment in Italy where he led his company in many fierce engagements.

From November 1944 until the cessation of hostilities in May 1945 he served as second-in-command of the battalion and on numerous occasions commanded the battalion in action.

Once, early in the offensive west of the Rhine near the village of Zyfflich in Germany he displayed great valour in assisting personally to rescue casualties under fire.

Later in the heavy fighting around Moyland Wood, at a critical stage of the battle he took ammunition to the forward troops under fire and again succeeded in evacuating many wounded.

From the 4th to 14th April 1945, Major Orr commanded the battalion in the advance north through Holland. Near the towns of Zutphen, Deventer and Zwolle, six successive attacks against fanatical resistance were skillfully handled. The battalion never once failed to take and hold its objective.

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."