FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE
David George Irvin - 54th Battalion

Born in the NSW town of Bemboka , farmer David George Irvin enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on September 7, 1915 , signing up in Warwick Farm, Sydney. Just shy of 23 years of age, he listed his father George of Moran's Crossing Bemboka as his next of kin.

David was initially assigned to the 2nd battalion and after completing training embarked for the Middle East . He arrived in late April and upon arriving was transferred into the 54th battalion. In June the battalion left for France onboard the Caledonian, before taking the train to Northern France .

On July 19 David took part in the attacks at Fromelles. According to reports he received a shrapnel wound early on in the day which he had promptly patched up so he could continue to fight. It obviously didn't hamper him too much as he evidently made it to the German lines with the rest of his battalion, where he was ultimately killed.

David was buried in the mass grave near Pheasant's Wood by the Germans (who returned his identity discs to the army) and is now commemorated in the new cemetery at Fromelles. He is also commemorated on the Bemboka town war memorial, which bears the inscription “commemorating the names of her sons who left here to fight in the cause of liberty and justice in the Great War.”

Research notes:

1) David was the fourth of seven children born to George and Elizabeth Irvin.

2) David's brother John Alexander Irvin (2922) enlisted after his brother's death, serving with the 59th battalion.

3) As well as John and David the Bemboka town memorial also lists another Irvin, Edward Stanley, a possible relation.

 

Photos:

1) David George Irvin from the Sydney Morning Herald Fromelles story.

2) Moran's Crossing.

3) Bemboka town memorial.