9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
19/02/1896
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
20
Summary
Robert Irwin was the eldest son of William and Mary Irwin. Robert Irwin was born in Benburb, County Tyrone on 19th February 1896. He was the second of three children. His mother died on 26th February 1899. His father remarried. William Irvine was a game keeper. Robert travelled to Finner Camp, County Donegal to enlist. Private Robert Irwin was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the Somme when he was killed in action on 1st July 1916.
Further Information
Robert Irwin was the son of William Irwin.
We have no proof of his family, but this family is ‘BEST FIT’
Robert Irwin was the eldest son of William and Mary Irwin. William Irvine and Mary Gillespie were married on 16th February 1894 in the district of Dungannon.
Robert Irwin was born in Benburb, County Tyrone on 19th February 1896. He was the second of three children, all born in Benburb.
Family 1: William Irwin, Mary Irwin, Annie Irwin (born 20th June 1894), Robert Irwin (born 19th February 1896), William Irwin (born 19th April 1897, died 26th February 1899).
Mary Irwin died in Benburb on 31st December 1897, age 26. Robert was a year old.
Robert’s baby brother, William, died on 26th February 1899.
William remarried. William Irvine and Sarah Kelly were married on 7th September 1900 in the district of Dungannon. They went on have six children.
Known family 2: William Irwin, Sarah Jane Irwin, William Irwin (born 27th August 1901), John Irwin (born 17th October 1903), James Irwin (born 14th February 1906), Mary Minney Irwin (born 17th March 1909), Sarah Irwin (born 2nd July 1911).
The 1901 census lists Robert as age 5, living with the family at house 41 in Benburb Town, Tyrone. William Irvine was a game keeper.
The 1911 census lists Robert as age 15, living with the family at house 17 in Benburb Town, Tyrone. Robert was still at school. William Irvine was a game keeper.
Robert was a member of Benburb Company, Dungannon Battalion, of the U.V.F.
Robert Irwin was living in Moy, County Tyrone when he travelled to Finner Camp, County Donegal to enlist.
Private Robert Irwin was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the Somme when he was killed in action on 1st July 1916..
For some time he was reported as missing for some time, before confirmation that he had died at the Somme.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 24 August 1916:
Mr William Irwin, Benburb, has received notification that his son, Private Robert Irwin, Tyrone Volunteers, is missing since 1st July.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916:
Mr William Irwin, Benburb, Moy, County Tyrone, has received official notification that his son, Private Robert Irwin, Tyrone Volunteers, is missing since the big push on 1st July. He belonged to the Benburb Company, Dungannon Battalion U.V.F.
Private Robert Irwin has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
There is a different Private Robert Irwin (M.M.) of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on the Cookstown / Magherafelt War Dead list. He hailed from Castledawson.
