Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest Irvin, born in 1883, son to Mrs Bridget Irvin, Toronto Street, Ovingham, South Australia. Ernest Irvin was born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia. On enlistment he was living on Alfred Street, Adelaide, South Australia. Irvin was a single, Catholic Roman who worked as a labourer. Irvin wasn’t a very tall man, standing at 5 feet 3 ½ inches. He weighed 133 lbs (60.3kg) with light brown hair and grey eyes. Irvin’s complexion was described as ‘fresh’. Irvin enlisted on the 24th of August 1915 at the age of 32 years and 10 months old. He was ranked a ‘Private’ on enlistment.

His service number was given to him when he was accepted to fight in the war, his number was 3851. After enlisting in 1915, his first Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on the 7th of February 1916, Irvin was now 33 years of age. 33 was considered quite a mature age at this time and the war contained many younger soldiers. This is one of the reasons Irvin moved up in the rankings quite fast whilst also having the right amount of physical skill and quality leadership values.

Because Irvin began to move up rankings quite quickly, he was often transferred from Battalion to Battalion. This meant that he was involved in 6 or 7 different Battalions. His greatest ranking was a Sergeant. As a Sergeant he was required to replace any other existing Sergeant that may either be killed in action, was transferred, or in the hospital ward because of sickness or wounds etc. Irvin was involved in the 9th, 7th, 12th, 27th and 50th Infantry Battalions, and also the 1st Engineering Battalion.

On the 15th of July 1918 Irvin was transferred to the 12th Infantry Battalion from France and then later that year, on the 21st of October was transferred from the 9th Infantry Battalion to the 50th Infantry Battalion. The next year he was discharged from the 50th Infantry Battalion; on the 21st of June 1919. He was discharged from this Battalion for ‘cessation of hostilities,’ meaning that the war was over.

Irvin was sent to the hospital warm multiple times but mainly because of sickness rather than battle wounds. On the 6th of August 1916, he was sent to the hospital (unsure of sickness). He was also discharged from the hospital on the 23rd of February 1919 after suffering form influenza. Irvin was able to make fast recoveries each time and was swiftly placed back on the battlefield.

Ernest Irvin was lucky enough to return home after serving in many different Battalions. Irvin’s transport “Kildonan Castle” back to Melbourne after the 9th Battalion, left England on the 21st of March 1919 and arrived around the 2nd of May 1919. Sergeant Irvin died on the 15th of January 1944 at the age of 61 and was never married. He is buried at the AIF Cemetery, West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, Section: LO, Road: 3S.

Biography by - Year 9 Student, St Francis de Sales College, Mount Barker, South Australia - 2022