Leading Coder James Crawford Irving

Robert Webb, a childhood friend submitted the following information:

'Jim and I were neighbours and best boyhood friends in London from 1929 until 1938 when my family moved from London to Hamilton. Jim was a cheerful, extroverted companion of my youth who was my fishing buddy and Boy Scout friend. He became a King Scout before he enlisted in the RCNVR.

' 'In July 1944, while serving overseas as a member of the RCAF, attached to the RAF, we became aware that the Alberni was in Portsmouth U.K. and Jim was able to get some shore leave. We met in Norwich near the airfield where I was then stationed. ..

I cherish the snapshots we took and the memory of his 'cheerio' goodbye as his train left. It was only a few weeks later on 21 August, 1944, that the Alberni was sunk by enemy action. His mother wrote to tell me of her loss and to say how, in his last letter he had described our happy reunion.' cheerful, extroverted companion of my youth who was my fishing buddy and Boy Scout friend. He became a King Scout before he enlisted in the RCNVR.' 'In July 1944, while serving overseas as a member of the RCAF, attached to the RAF, we became aware that the Alberni was in Portsmouth U.K. and Jim was able to get some shore leave. We met in Norwich near the airfield where I was then stationed. .. I cherish the snapshots we took and the memory of his 'cheerio' goodbye as his train left. It was only a few weeks later on 21 August, 1944, that the Alberni was sunk by enemy action. His mother wrote to tell me of her loss and to say how, in his last letter he had described our happy reunion.'