During his 101 years, Oscar Orr had a distinguished career as a soldier, lawyer, Magistrate, war—crimes trials prosecutor and good citizen.

Born in Saskatchewan, Oscar Orr lived his early life in Ontario and in 1908 came to New Westminster where he entered Columbia College. He pursued a legal career until the outbreak of war in 1914 at which time he went to France with the Vancouver Regiment, was Commissioned in the field and was severely wounded at Ypres.

After World War I he practiced law and became City Prosecutor for Vancouver in 1931. In 1940, he enlisted in the Army yet again, becoming a Major and Judge Advocate General of Pacific Command. He was later promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and was posted to Japan where he commanded the Canadian War Crimes Section and was awarded an M.B.E.

In 1947, he was appointed a King’s Counsel and, in 1953, became Police Magistrate of Vancouver where he remained until 1962. His sensitivity for the unfortunate is well known to all who practiced before him. He brought kindness, firmness, fairness and dignity to all who appeared before him.

Most everyone who had the opportunity of associating with him were inspired to emulate in their daily lives his integrity, sense of fairness and respectability.

Throughout his life, Mr. Orr practiced quiet philanthropy. His efforts on behalf of soldiers and widows of servicemen, as well as his other charitable endeavours, are not well known, but many have been greatly indebted to him for his efforts. These contributions continued throughout his lifetime.