George was born in Glasgow and studied at university there, excelling in philosophy and English literature. He then studied theology at the United Presbyterian College in Edinburgh.
His first church placement was at Hope Park United Presbyterian (‘UP’) Church, Edinburgh (now demolished), as assistant to Rev Thomas McEwan, whose daughter Helen he married in 1893.
His second placement began in August 1892 as assistant to Rev William Ballantyne at the North UP Church in Langholm. Rev Ballantyne died three months later and George succeeded him.
George was a co-founder of the Eskdale & Liddesdale Archaeological Society and founder of the Townhead Literary Society. He participated occasionally in golf and curling. In the 1890s he supported the Langholm Total Abstinence Society which was active from 1880 to around 1899.
In 1915, he wrote the words for a fundraising song, ‘The K.O.S.B.’ (King’s Own Scottish Borderers), for which the music was composed by Joe Allison of Allison’s Band. The E&L reported on 20th October 1915:
The song is dedicated to the memory of Sergeant Wm. Ramage, the first to fall of the Langholm Territorials, and Private Thomas McVittie, both of the 1-5th K.O.S.B. It has been described as “a spirited song in honour of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.” The price is 1s, and all profits will go to the regiment. It is on sale at the shops of Mr Wilson and Mr Scott. The following are the concluding verses:-
Their fallen lie on many shores,
In marked graves and unknown,
Whose sinking hand upheld the Right,
Kept Freedom on the throne;
But they who fell shall live for aye,
On Scotland’s thrilling page,
Their names will glow, their spirits reign,
And march from age to age.
And now the trumpet note is heard,
Fill up the ranks bereft!
‘Tis Britain’s voice, ’tis Honour’s call,
It rings to right and left.
Oh! let it not be said that you
Were “shy” to meet the foe,
Lift up your hearts and say at once,
For King and home I’ll go.
He and Helen had six children, all born in Langholm between 1893 and 1909. Later they moved to St John’s UP Church, Borgue, Kirkcudbright, where Helen died, and George retired to Edinburgh.
| Born | Glasgow, Lanarkshire, 1862 |
| Parents | James Orr, Marion Allan |
| Siblings | |
| Marriage | Helen McEwan (1865-1935) |
| Children | 2 sons, 4 daughters |
| Died | Edinburgh, 1938, aged 76 |