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Tasmanian born in Hobart to Harry Beauchamp ‘Snowy’ and Margaret Maud Irwin on the 22nd July, 1919, Harry was the eldest son of the family, and named after his father. He soon acquired the nickname of ‘Mick’. He had four siblings including two sisters, Margaret Elaine and Betty, and two brothers, Max and Walter both of whom later served with the Royal Australian Navy.
Mick attended Hobart High School, which later was to begin an Honor Roll of past students who had enlisted, which at the end of 1941 had already totalled 365. Of those, a number had already paid the supreme price in all services, especially the RAAF but also the RAN and Infantry. The latter included Mick and Maurice Wise TX15544.
Post school Mick became a clerk but was also an active member of the CMF as T22993 at Anglesea Barracks, winning the ANA gold medal for being the best cadet shot in Tasmania. While at the Barracks, Mick and Lorna Veronica (Curtis) welcomed their son who was born at the Queen Alexandra Hospital on September 6th ’36.
Mick was particularly skilled in rifle shooting as in March ’40 he won the Metropolitan Club’s championship over both 800 and 900 yards while also securing top score with the rifle and tying for the silver spoon for the series. Then, aged 21 he undertook his medical at Port Augusta on the 19th April, before travelling to Wayville on the 23rd April, 1941 to formally enlist. He was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Mick nominated his father as his next of kin but nominated his partner, Lorna Veronica Curtis born May 6 ’22 as the beneficiary of his will.
Promotions to A/Cpl eventuated once Mick arrived in the Middle East but this seemed to be quickly followed by reversals to the rank of Private whenever he was hospitalised. He was promoted to A/Cpl in April ’42 but the challenging conditions saw him treated for various ailments by the field ambulance before returning to the 2/48th. Unfortunately, he soon then sustained a gunshot wound to the cornea of his right eye just three months later, causing him to again be evacuated before returning to his Battalion on the 15th August ’42. The Advertiser in August reported that: ‘SX12363 A-Cpl. H. B. Irwin, Inf., Port Augusta’ was one of a number of soldiers who had been wounded in action. He was to survive that injury and return to his Battalion but was killed on the 31st October.
Conditions at the time were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29.
John Glenn describes the carnage.
‘The attack continued, however, without pause…it was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. The troops had never been more tired.. The 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest; from first light until nine o’clock the enemy turned all their fury on the Trig area, with particularly heavy fire on 29 itself, hiding the position in a cloud of dust and smoke.’ He added:
‘Death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant man. And of the 2/48th Battalion only forty on weary troops would remain in the field.’ Ron was one. Then ‘at zero hour 1 a.m. 31st October, the artillery opened up with a receding barrage – one that creeps back on itself. The attack was towards the guns themselves, the enemy being between troops and the guns…one gun was landing shells right amongst the men… As soon as the main road was reached the two leading companies came under murderous fire, and, from then until they reached the objective, 2,250 yards from the start line, the whole advance was fought in fierce hand to hand fighting.’ It was under these conditions that Mick received his fatal wounds. It was challenging for the survivors of the horrific fighting to immediately retrieve their fallen men, but they eventually did. Mick was buried in the field on the 5th November ‘42.
Soon after, the Chronicle listed those who had been killed in action with Mick. They included 24 year old SX9128 Pte Jack D Clark, 2/24th, Seven Hills; 34 year old SX7246 Pte. Gordon Franklin, 2/24th Kimba; 27 year old SX12363 Pte. Ron Jackson SX6963 2/48th Melrose: 26 year old SX7506 Pte. Ernest N. Parkyn, 2/48th Murray Bridge; 22 year old SX2139 Pte. Harry Pearce, 2/48th Watervale; and his brother 30 year old SX7239 Pte. Phillip Pearce. 2/48th Watervale: 21 year old SX12157 Pte. Eric K. Stagbouer, 2/48th Maitland: 29 year old SX7987 Pte. Douglas Whyte. 2/48th Joslin. These were the cream of Australia’s young men.
Mick and fellow soldiers were later re-buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery on the 31st March ’45 in Plot 16 Row F Grave 5 surrounded by others from his Battalion including 35-year-old Privates F Rae WX10448 and 25-year-old L.N. Dacey SX13682. Mick’s parents chose the simple inscription ‘Remembered’ for his headstone.
Mick was awarded the 1939/45 Star, the African Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal which were posted to his parents in September ’52. His father died in April ’57 and mother Margaret three decades later in 1987. Both are buried in the Hobart Cemetery.
His family continued to remember Mick:
Mercury Monday 23 November 1942, Member of the Forces IRWIN. - Killed in action, Middle East, October 31, Pte Harry Beauchamp (Nutty), aged 22 years, dearly beloved eldest son of Harry and Margaret Irwin, 26 Napoleon St. Hobart.
Mercury Tuesday 31 October 1944, IRWIN. -In loving memory of Harry B. Irwin (AIF), killed in action. El Alamein. October 31. 1942. Deep in our hearts a memory is kept of a son and brother we loved and will never forget. Inserted by his loving father, mother, sisters, and brothers. Not just today, but every day, In silence we remember. Inserted by his sorrowing parents, brothers, Max (RAN) and "Walter (RAN), and sister, Betty.
Mercury Wednesday 31 October 1945 IRWIN. —In loving memory of Harry B. Irwin, killed in action El Alamein, October 31, 1942. For ever remembered. Inserted by his loved ones.
Mercury Thursday 31 October 1946, IRWIN. —In loving memory of Harry B. Irwin, killed in action El Alamein, October 31, 1942. For ever remembered. Inserted by his loved ones.
Mercury Friday 31 October 1947, IRWIN. -In loving memory of Harry B., killed in action, El Alamein, October 31, 1942. For ever remembered. Inserted by his loved ones. IRWIN.-In memory of my cobber, SX12363 Pte H. B. (Nutty) Irwin, 2/48th Battalion, killed in action at El Alamein, October 31, 1942. Till they sound the last retreat he shall be remembered. Inserted by Pte E. L. Weir, 66th. Bat talion, BCOF, Japan.
Mercury Saturday 30 October 1948, IRWIN In loving memory of SX1236: Harry B. killed in action. El Alamein October 31. 1942. For ever remembered. Inserted by his loved ones.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.