IRWIN, Robert Alexander
| Service Number: | 2095 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 April 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 34th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Camberwell, New South Wales, Australia, 30 July 1894 |
| Home Town: | Camberwell, Singleton, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Dairyman |
| Died: | Mayfield, New South Wales, Australia, 27 July 1950, aged 55 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW CATHOLIC 2-42. 32. |
| Memorials: | Singleton Camberwell Honour Roll, Singleton War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2095, 34th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2095, 34th Infantry Battalion | |
| 24 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 2095, 34th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
| 24 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 2095, 34th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Anchises, Sydney | |
| 27 Jun 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, 1st Passchendaele, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the Battle of YPRES (Phase 5) 12th October 1917. Under a very heavy enemy artillery and machine gun fire this man repeatedly went out and bandaged wounded comrades carrying them back to the R.A.P.. He worked without rest for 48 hours, and although completely exhausted refused to leave the line. He set a fine example of coolness and courage to the remainder of the Company.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: 27 June 1918 | |
| 12 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 2095, 34th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD |
Help us honour Robert Alexander Irwin's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served bravely during The Great War, died tragically, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
75 years ago today, on the Saturday afternoon of the 29th July 1950, Lance Corporal Robert Alexander Irwin M.M., 34th Battalion (stretcher bearer, Reg No-2095), dairyman from Camberwell, New South Wales and 16 Scholey Street, Mayfield, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 55. CATHOLIC 2-42. 32.
Born at Camberwell, New South Wales on the 30th July 1894 to Samuel, died 12.12.1926, York Street, Singleton, N.S.W., age 74, buried at Glenridding Uniting Church Cemetery, Singleton, N.S.W., unmarked grave?, and Catherine Irwin nee Mooney, died 20.4.1937, Pitt Street, Singleton, N.S.W., age 78, mother of 12, sleeping at Queen Street Cemetery, Singleton, N.S.W., Robert's death certificate states parents Michael and Mary Irwin; husband of Hannah Theresa Irwin nee Tierney, married 1921, Singleton, N.S.W., died 23.4.1975, Newcastle, N.S.W., age 79, 24 years a widow, sleeping here, Robert enlisted on the 10th April 1916 at Singleton, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A68 Anchises on the 24th August 1916.
Disembarked Devonport, England 11.10.1916.
Admitted to hospital 17.10.1916 till 4.11.1916 (mumps).
Granted leave to England from 7.1.1918 to 24.1.1918 and England and France from 18.1.1919 to 12.2.1919.
Awarded Military Medal 8.2.1918 -
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the Battle of YPRES (Phase 5) 12th October 1917. Under a very heavy enemy artillery and machine gun fire this man repeatedly went out and bandaged wounded comrades carrying them back to the R.A.P. He worked without rest for 48 hours, and although completely exhausted refused to leave the line. He set a fine example of coolness and courage to the remainder of the Company.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95.
Date: 27th June 1918.
Appointed Lance Corporal 2.9.1918.
Commenced return to Australia 11.5.1919.
Mr. Irwin’s name has been inscribed on the Camberwell Honour Roll and the Singleton & District War Memorial.
The tragic circumstances of Robert’s death were reported - Union Official Dies In Road Smash (see Trove links).
I have placed poppies at Robert’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Not officially commemorated.
Older brother William Mooney Irwin, born 11.11.1890, Singleton, N.S.W., farm hand from Camberwell, New South Wales, enlisted 19.10.1915, 3rd Australian Field Artillery Brigade, Reg No-11076, RTA 22.7.1919, 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column, died 9.10.1975, age 84, resting at CATHOLIC 2-33. 95, not officially commemorated.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered“.
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.