IRVINE, Robert Fenton
| Service Number: | 3331 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 May 1917, Enlisted in Sydney. |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Macdonaldtown, New South Wales, Australia, 27 June 1878 |
| Home Town: | Erskineville, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Railway Clerk |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 2 May 1918, aged 39 years |
| Cemetery: |
Le Peuplier Military Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Baulkham Hills William Thompson Masonic School War Memorial, Haymarket Men of the Railways & Tramways Store Branch Roll of Valour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board, Sydney United Grand Lodge Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 17 May 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3331, 35th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted in Sydney. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Aug 1917: | Involvement Private, 3331, 35th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Miltiades embarkation_ship_number: A28 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Aug 1917: | Embarked Private, 3331, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Miltiades, Sydney | |
| 2 May 1918: | Involvement Gunner, 3331, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3331 awm_unit: 2 Field Artillery Brigade awm_rank: Gunner awm_died_date: 1918-05-02 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Oakes
Robert Fenton IRVINE (Service Number 3331) was born on 27th June 1878 in Macdonaldtown, NSW.. He was first employed by the NSW Goverment Railways as an apprentice clerk at Marrickville in the Traffic Branch on 1st September 1892. He transferred to the Stores Branch at Eveleigh in November. On 1st June 1899, after nearly seven years as an apprentice clerk he became a junior clerk, as he was just a few days short of being 21 years of age. He remained in this role until 1st January 1904 when, at the age of 25 he became a clerk. For more than ten years his job description did not change but his pay rose from £135 per annum to £310 per annum. In January 1915 his position became ‘Clerk in Charge, Purchases and Shipping’ and his salary rose to £340 per annum. From 8th June 1915 he acted in higher duties as Acting Chief of Store Assistant and was paid at a rate of £410 per annum.
On 17th May 1917, at the age of nearly 39, Irvine enlisted in the AIF at Sydney. His father-in-law was Lieutenant-Colonel C J Lester, a retired soldier of some standing.
His Attestation Papers are dated 21st April. He gave his wife, Annie, who was living at Croydon, as his next of kin. Irvine left Australia from Sydney aboard HMAT ‘Miltiades’ on 2nd August 1917. He was allotted to the 35th Australian Infantry Battalion. In October he was promoted to Acting Corporal. In November he transferred to the 2nd Field Artillery and became a Gunner.
He proceeded overseas to France and was taken on the strength of the 6th Battery of the 1st Division Artillery in Belgium on 23rd January 1918.
He was killed in action on 2nd May 1918. He was hit by an isolated shell which fell near his dugout. Irvine’s role at the time was ‘Battery Clerk’.
Irvine was buried at Le Peuplier Military Cemetery, Caestre, 6½ miles NW of Bailleul, France. Reverend T T Webb officiated.
His father-in-law wrote to Lieut W. Mackintosh, AIF Base Records, Melbourne:
‘Dear Mackintosh,
No doubt you recollect me as one of the Old Militia Gunners, at Sydney – now a “back number”, over-age, and broken down on the left side.
Will you kindly do what you can to expedite the response to a recent request from my daughter, widow of 3331 Gunner R.F. Irvine, 102 Battery 4.5 Howitzers, reported as “Killed in Action” 2nd or 3rd May ‘18 in France, she requires two certificates of the death, and would be glad if the could be promptly issued. If you can further the matter you will confer a favour on yours truly, with kind regards,
Chas J. Lester.’
- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.
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