Billy Orchard

William Henry Orchard was an Australian rules football player for the Geelong Football Club between 1906 and 1915. He served in the First AIF. He was awarded a Military Cross.

Family

The son of Edwin Orchard and Ruth Orchard, née Mallett, he was born on 9 August 1888. He married Henrietta Jessie Galbraith on 21 July 1915; they had three children, William, Douglas, and June.

Football

Geelong (VFL)

He was Geelong's captained for two seasons: 1914 and 1915. He was also playing coach in 1914.

Third Divisional team (AIF)

He played for the Third Australian Divisional team in the famous "Pioneer Exhibition Game" of Australian Rules football, held in London, in October 1916. A news film was taken at the match.

Field Umpire

He was a field umpire in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1920s.

Cricket

Orchard was an outstanding cricketer taking 264 wickets at 12.6 between 1903–1936 in the Geelong Cricket Association.

Military career

In 1918 at Ypres he was awarded the Military Cross for "the efficient manner in which he carried out his task of reorganisation and his cheerfulness under depressing circumstances that earned for him the Military Cross."