| William Garnett Wolseley Irwin was the eldest son of Charleton and Margaret Irwin. Charleton Irwin and Margaret Hall were married on 18th April 1895 in the district of Dungannon.
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| William Irwin was born on 30th July 1896 in Dungannon. He was the oldest of at least eight children, all born in Dungannon.
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| The 1901 census shows William as 4 years old. He and the family are living at William Street, Dungannon. William’s father was a linen lapper. His mother was a dressmaker.
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| His father worked for in the Stevenson and Son linen factory in the town.
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| William G W Irwin was educated at the Royal School Dungannon from 1909 to 1910.
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| The 1911 census reveals 14 year old Garnett as an Apprentice to Linen Trade. The family still lived at William Street, Dungannon.
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| Known family: Charleton Irwin, Margaret Irwin, William Garnett Irwin (born 30th July 1896), Thomas John Irwin (born 13th May 1898), Charleton Sandwith Irwin (born 2nd October 1900), Margaret Gertrude Irwin (born 28th March 1903), Samuel Hall Irwin (born 1st April 1905), James Shillington Irwin (born 5th December 1906), Evelyn Muriel Irwin (born 14th August 1909), Annie Jane Irwin (born 22nd March 1911).
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| Garnett Irwin was employed in Messrs Stevenson’s factory in Moygashel.
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| Garnett Irwin was a member of Masonic Lodge No 185.
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| 1914
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| Garnett enlisted at Dungannon in October 1914.
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| William served as Lance Corporal in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons (Service Squadron) Service No. UD/83, and also with the 2nd Regiment North Irish Horse.
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| 1915
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| Sergeant Garnett Irwin arrived in France on 6th October 1915.
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| 1916
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| From the Tyrone Courier dated 27 April 1916:
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| Corporal William Garnett Irwin, Inniskilling Dragoons, whose photo is given above, is the eldest son of Charleton Irwin, Castle Hill, Dungannon. He volunteered in October 1914, and is at present at the front with the Ulster Division. Before enlisting, he was employed in Messrs. Stevensons' factory in Moygashel.
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| 1917
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| In September 1917 Sergeant Irwin was transferred to the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, when his North Irish Horse regiment was dismounted and absorbed into that battalion (No.41146).
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| 1918
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| Sergeant William Garnett Wolsley Irwin was serving with A Company, within the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, when he was seriously wounded in the abdomen by shrapnel on Sunday 25th August 1918.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 28th August 1918:
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| Sergeant Garnet W Irwin, Inniskilling Dragoons, (attached Royal Irish Fusiliers), wounded, is the eldest son of Mr Charleton Irwin, Castle Hill, Dungannon.
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| From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated 29th August 1918:
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| Mr Charleton Irwin, Castle Hill, Dungannon, received a telegram from a Clearing Station on Monday evening intimating that his eldest son, Sergeant Garnet W Irwin, Inniskilling Dragoons, (attached to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) had been dangerously wounded on Sunday. This young soldier who was a general favourite in Dungannon volunteered at the outbreak of war.
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| Sergeant William Garnett Wolsley Irwin died of his wounds at 4:30 pm the following day on 26th August 1918, aged 22.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 2nd September 1918:
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| Sergeant Garnet W Irwin, Inniskilling Dragoons (attached Royal Irish Fusiliers), died from wounds, was the eldest son of Mr Charleton Irwin, Castle Hill, Dungannon
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| From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated 5th September 1918: Death of Sergeant Irwin
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| It is with great regret that we announce the death as the results of wounds received in action of Sergeant Garnet W Irwin, Inniskilling Dragoons, (attached to the Royal Irish Fusiliers), son of Mr Charleton Irwin, Castle Hill, Dungannon. The deceased was seriously wounded in the abdomen by shrapnel on Sunday 25th August, and when intimation of his condition was conveyed to his parents in a letter from a Chaplain, Rev R H Kennedy, fondest hopes were entertained for his recovery, but unfortunately he became worse and passed peacefully away at 4:30 pm the next day. Writing to the bereaved parents the Rev Mr Kennedy says that their son was buried in the military cemetery, a bright sunny spot in the corn fields. He trusts that God in His own good time will comfort them for the loss of their brave boy. The deceased was one of the most popular young men in Dungannon and was a member of Masonic Lodge No 185 and Holdfast L.O.L. 1620 at its meeting on 2nd September passed a vote of sympathy with Mr Irwin on the great loss which he and his family have sustained. To Mr and Mrs Irwin the sympathy of a wide circle of friends is extended in this hour of sorrow.
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| Last Will and Testament
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| In his will, he left all to his mother, who was living as Castle Hill, Dungannon.
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| Last Will and Testament of Sergeant William Garnett W Irwin dated 3rd December 1916:
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| (Sergeant Irwin, Royal Irish Fusiliers – 41146). In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother, Mrs Chas. Irwin, Castle Hill, Dungannon, County Tyrone. Signed William Garnett Irwin, Corporal, Service Squadron 6th Dragoons, 3rd December 1916.
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| Memorials
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| Sergeant Irwin is buried in Arneke British Cemetery. Arneke is approximately 50 kilometres south-east of Calais and about eight kilometres north-west of the town of Cassel. The cemetery was begun by the 13th Casualty Clearing Station which moved to Arneke from the Proven area in October 1917. It was joined by the 10th and 44th Clearing Stations in April 1918. The cemetery was used by these hospitals until the end of May, and again from July to September 1918 by the 62nd (1/2nd London) Clearing Station.
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| Sergeant Garnett Irwin is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WWI Roll of Honour in St Anne's Church Of Ireland in Dungannon.
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| The CWGC record Sergeant William Garnett Wolsley Irwin as the son of Charleton and Margaret Irwin, of Castle Hill, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.
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| Many thanks to Paul Kerr and the Royal School Dungannon for his research and all the information provided.
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