Major J A Orr-Ewing

Major James Alexander Orr-Ewing, Commanding the Warwickshire Yeomanry, was killed in action at Kleis, on 28 May 1900, apparently whilst helping a wounded officer out of a river. He was the younger son of Sir Archibald Orr-Ewing of Ballikinrain, 1st Baronet, born on 22 February 1857. He was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, becoming M.A. in 1889. He joined the 16th Lancers in 1880, was promoted Lieutenant in 1881, Captain in 1888, and Major in 1896. Retiring from the 16th Lancers he joined the Reserve of Officers, and was gazetted a Captain in the Warwickshire Yeomanry in 1898, a Company of which he commanded at the time of his death. He was Aide-de-Camp to Lord Londonderry (Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland) from 1885 to 1890, and Aide-de-Camp to Field-Marshal Earl Roberts (Commander-in-Chief in Ireland) from 1895 to 1896. Major Orr-Ewing was a very keen and popular sportsman, and a good rider and fisherman. He rode nearly every important winner in Ireland where his regiment was stationed. On Cloister (whom he owned for a time) he won the 16th Lancers Subaltern's Cup at Fairyhouse, the horse's debut. He sold Cloister in 1890. He married, in 1898, Lady Margaret Frances Susan Innes-Ker, daughter of the 7th Duke of Roxburghe and Lady Anne Emily Spencer-Churchill, by whom he left one daughter.