Irwin, John Cecil Brandon

Sergeant (Pilot) John Cecil Brandon Irwin

was born at 3 Bertha Row, Ballygrainey (Road), Holywood, Co. Down on 13th October 1919 to George Irwin, Painter and Lucinda Ann Irwin nee Brandon. They had married on 6th August 1918 at Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church, Bangor.

Irwin was an old boy of Sullivan Upper School and represented them at a Guild of Youth Rally in London during the King’s Coronation (1937). He was Captain of the School Rugby Football XV in 1937 / 1938 and in the same year he was awarded the School Cup for being the best all-round pupil.

On 4th April 1938 he joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address on the bank Staff Record card is recorded as Kathleen Place, Craigavad.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

On 1st May 1939 Irwin enlisted into the RAF Volunteer Reserve. He was called up for Active Service on 22nd June 1940 with the rank of Aircraft Man Class 2. Promotion followed to Leading Aircraftman and Sergeant Pilot with Service Number 951459.  

Irwin was serving with 57 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Flying on an operation to Essen, Irwin was killed on 4th July 1941 along with 4 other crew members. A 6th member was injured when the Wellington IC R1589 Crashed at 00.08 hrs at Larman's Fen, Southerly Road, Feltwell, Norfolk. The cause of the crash - instrument failure.

The excellent website 'The War Dead of North Down and Ards' carries a further biography in this link.

The 'Belfast Telegraph' of 7th July 1941 carried this obituary of John Irwin.

 John Irwin is buried in Holywood Cemetery, Co. Down and is commemorated on the Holywood War Memorial, Glencraig Parish Church War Memorial and in Sullivan Upper School. 

Holywood Cemetery

Grave of John Irwin with his brother William Thomas Irwin memorialised on the headstone

His brother, Flight Lieutenant William Thomas Irwin also saw service with the RAF (VR) and was killed in action on 3rd October 1943 aged 22. He was serving with 51 Squadron flying a Halifax II HR728 LX-D on an operation to Kassel when it crashed at Wietersheim - all 8 crew were killed.