John Orr was born at Bury, Manchester in 1956, attended St. Gabriel's Secondary Modern until leaving at the age of 15 to join the Junior Leaders Battalion at Oswestry, where he served for two and a half years. He subsequently joined 2nd Battalion The Grenadier Guards in September 1975 at Windsor.

His first posting as a guardsman was to Hong Kong where he gained rapid promotion to Lance Corporal, as a member of the Recce Platoon. From there his service included postings to London, Brunei, Belize, Cyprus, Germany, Canada, Africa and Northern Ireland (with deployment in both Londonderry and in various rural areas). He has also been a platoon sergeant at the Guards Depot, Pirbright.

Sergeant Orr has passed a number of career and specialist courses including anti-tank gunnery, NBC warfare, jungle-craft and adventure training. Throughout his regular army service he has been closely involved in regimental and army athletics sports, representing the Army in major competitions, high hurdles being his specialised discipline.

Now as a humble civilian, John Orr works as general manager for a large private mailing firm in the City of London. His hobbies include photography, theatre-going, socialising (!) and organising various charity events for his local pub.

He is married and lives in Wimbledon.

Last updated 7th July 2000