IRVINE, Raymond
| Service Numbers: | S/8206, S8206 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 March 1943 |
| Last Rank: | Able Seaman |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Australia (II) D84 - WW2 |
| Born: | Casino, New South Wales, 23 December 1924 |
| Home Town: | Casino, Richmond Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Leyte Gulf, Philippines, 21 October 1944, aged 19 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Casino and District WW2 Honour Roll, HMAS Australia (Honour Roll), Plymouth Naval Memorial to the Missing / Lost at Sea |
World War 2 Service
| 15 Mar 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Ordinary Seaman, S8206, HMAS Cerberus (Shore), Sydney, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, S/8206 | |
| 21 Oct 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, S/8206, HMAS Australia (II) D84 - WW2 |
Raymond Irvine
Thomas Charles Irvine married Annie Edwards in the Lismore area, Their children's names were Monica (Mrs West), Basil, George, Ronald, Athol, Thelma (Mrs Selway) and RAYMOND born 23 December 1924 at Casino NSW
Raymond (Bill) never married.
Raymond's Nickname was Bill and til this day we have not found out why.
Raymond lived at McKees Hill and Casino NSW, He attended McKees Hill and Casino Public Schools leaving at the age of 14 years old, His name is listed on the local High School Honour Roll.
He was a farm Labourer and Carpenter.
A person with fair hair and grey eyes, Bill was 5 feet 11 inches tall and he had fair complexion.
To relieve the constant work chores there were family card evenings, tennis and attending local dances and socials. Bill was a member of the Casino Town Band. He was also a capable horseman.
Bill joined the Royal Australian Navy (because he was an exceptional swimmer) in April 1943. It was with pride he joined the service and attained the rank of Able Body Seaman and become a crew member of the famous Australian 8 inch Cruiser the HMAS AUSTRALIA on the 1 August 1944.
In the battle of Leyte Island one of the larger of the Philippines Group, HMAS Australia was part of the impressive armada of Allied ships.
On the 21 October 1944 a Kamikaze pilot approached the ship from the port side and crashed into the Air Defence Platform. AB Seaman Irvine was in this sector and killed in action, aged only 19 years old. Bill's was buried at Sea in Leyte Gulf in the Philippines along with 28 sailors that perished that day.
On panel 92 at the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, United Kingdom is inscribed the name of Raymond Irvine.
Submitted 12 April 2017 by Rebecca Collins
Click images to start slideshow.