David George IRVIN

Regimental number4807
Place of birthBemboka New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmer
AddressMorans Crossing, Bemboka, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 4.5"
Weight126 lbs
Next of kinFather, G Irvin, Morans Crossing, Bemboka, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date7 September 1915
Place of enlistmentWarwick Farm, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Battalion, 15th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/19/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A15 Star of England on 8 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll36th Heavy Artillery Brigade
FateKilled in Action 19-20 July 1916
Place of burialFromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery (Plot IV, Row E, Grave No 1), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
159
Family/military connectionsBrother: 2922 Pte John Alexander IRVIN, 59th Bn, returned to Australia, 24 December 1918.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Joined 54th Bn, Ferry Post, 20 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 20 July 1916.

Now, 24 January 1917, reported 'Wounded and Missing, 19/20 July 1916'.

Identification disc received from Germany. No particulars afforded except soldier is dead. To be reported as 'Killed in action, 19/20 July 1916'.

Note, Red Cross File No 1410405: 'Copy of Death Voucher ... Australian soldier Irvin [underlined] D.G. 54th Battn. fell on 19/7/16 in the neighborhood of Fromelles.'

Note: 'The above name appeared on a German death list dated 4-11-16.'

Note on file: 'Identity disc received from German as despatched to Next of Kin 20/6/17.'

Statement, 4760 Pte W.F. DALTON, A Company, 54th Bn (patient, No 4 Australian General Hospital, Randwick), 15 May 1917: On 19.7.16, at Fleurbaix, he was wounded in the shoulder and was bandaged up about 20 minutes before "going over". He was able to carry on and joined in the attack, but I never saw him again or heard what happened to him.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Originally listed as 'No Known Grave' and commemorated at V.C. Corner (Panel No 10), Australian Cemetery, Fromelles; subsequently (2010) identified, and interred in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, France.
SourcesNAA: B2455, IRVIN David George
Red Cross file 1410405