Francis Clarence IRWIN (2625) was a 23 year old single stockman from Condamine, Queensland who enlisted in Roma, Queensland on 15 March 1915. He listed as his next of kin, his Mother, Mrs Francis A McDonald, Condamine via Miles, Queensland. He was born in Toowoomba, Queensland. He embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A55 Kyarra on 16 August 1915 as a member of the 9th Battalion 8th Reinforcement and disembarked in Egypt. He was admitted to hospital in Cairo with mumps in October 1915. IRWIN transferred to the 49th Battalion upon its formation on 29 February 1916 in Habeita, Egypt and travelled with them to the Western Front in June 1916. He was Missing in Action on 3 September 1916. A Court of Inquiry in April 1917 determined he was Missing in Action believed Killed. This was later changed to be Killed in Action. He had no known grave. On 19 April 1917 it was gazetted that he was awarded the Military Medal. The citation indicated that 'This man was one of the party of bombers who bombed along the left communication trench and assisted to capture a mixim gun, the two others of the party are unknown and it is believed that they were killed. This man carried on and bombed the enemy out and practically held the place until a stop was put in.' In 1937 the Imperial War Graves Commission wrote to indicate that they had exhumed a body north of Pozieres and through the identification disc had determined it to be Private Francis Clarence IRWIN. He is buried London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval. France. Photos (1) and (2) from State Library Queensland collection, Documents from Service Record.
Lest We Forget.

Jillian Watts