Name

John Irvine.

Description

Newspaper Photograph of John Irvine.

Life Story

Name: John Irvine.

Service Number: 7587.

Rank: Rifleman.

Battalion: 2nd Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 17th July 1884, Newtownards, County Down.

Died: 9th November 1914.

Address: 152 Leopold Street, Belfast

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John Irvine, son of Samuel and Margaret Irvine, lived at 152 Leopold Street, Shankill, Belfast

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John signed the Ulster Covenant on the 28th of September 1912, Ulster Day, within Saint Matthews Parochial Hall, Belfast

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John joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted and served in India with 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

Having transferred to Army Reserves John was then mobilised once again at the outbreak of war.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 13th August 1914.

John was a Rifleman in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he Died Of Wounds within No 4 Clearing Hospital , Poperinghe, Belgium, aged 30 years

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A local newspaper states

The parents of Rifleman John Irvine, 24 Upper Movilla Street, Newtownards, have been notified that he died on the 3rd ult, of wounds received near Gheluvelt. Deceased was in the 2nd Battalion R.I.R

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Another paper states

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MORE NEWTOWNARDS SOLDIERS DIE FOR KING AND COUNTRY.

Two Killed And One Wounded.

The roll of honoured dead of Newtownards is beginning to assume ever increasing proportions. The latest additions to these are Rifleman John Irvine, of 24 Upper Movilla Street and Corporal Robert Stannage, who was reared in John Street Lane. The latter was for a time bugler on the 6th R.I. Rilfes (the Louths) and for a while was attached to the staff of the Royal North Downs and was in South Africa during the Boar War. In the present war Corporal Stannage was attached to the 1st Battalion R.I. Rifles, and was killed in action on November 16th.

Rifleman John Irvine was a reservists, and served with the 1st Battalion R.I.Rifles in India. He was called up to the 2nd Battalion, which unit has from the outbreak of hostilities been at the front. On November 9th Rifleman Irvine died in Poperinghe Hospital as a result of wounds received in action. He was a most genial and good natured chap, and was one of those people who had the happy knack of making and keeping friends. He was a sympathetic supporter of the Loyal Orange Institute, and there could not be any doubt as to his political connections - he was a Unionist to the core. Samuel Irvine, 152 Leopold Street, Belfast, brother of the deceased, strangely received a postcard from Rifleman Irvine on the day he received his fatal wound. The postcard, which was of the usual army type, was dated 3rd November, intimating that he was well. Mr S Irvine replied acknowledging the card on the day he received it.

We extend, as do the public of Newtownards, our deep sympathy to the relatives of Rifleman Irvine and Corporal Stannage on the loss they have sustained.

Rifleman Irvine's Brother Wounded.

Information has it appears been received that Rifleman James Irvine, brother of the late Rifleman John Irvine, has been wounded in action and is hospital. The nature of the injuries are not known, but we sincerely hope he will soon be convalescent again. He is well known in Newtownards, having served his time to the matchmaking and repairing in the firm of Mr Robert Stouppe, jeweller High Street

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John Soldiers Effects were left to his mother.

His Pension Application Form shows his mother as claimant.

A Dependant Pension Application Form shows his mother as claimant also

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See nephew also: 5952 Lance Corporal Robert Russell Irvine 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

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John received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star

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He is Remembered at Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery, Belgium.

To Remember Is To Honour

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