Profile image
Military service
Service number:
J/9431
Age:
26
Rank:
Flying Officer
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
268 (R.A.F.) Sqdn
Death:
July 30, 1943
Burial/memorial information
Additional information
Son of Roland J. Irwin and Pearl Irwin; husband of Doris Violet Irwin, of Woodstock, Ontario.
Digital gallery of Flying Officer William James Irwin
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Grave marker
Photo provided by The Commonwealth Roll Of Honour Project. Volunteer Geoffrey Carver -
Grave marker
Photo provided by The Commonwealth Roll Of Honour Project. Volunteer Geoffrey Carver -
Soldiers' Tower Memorial
The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations. -
Memorial Arch
The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “F/O W. J. IRWIN R.C.A.F.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations. -
Memorial Room
Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations. -
Memorial Book
University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 32 reads: “F/O William James IRWIN RCAF, 268 Sqn RAF. Former student at University College, 1938-40. Killed in an air operation over France, 30 July 1944 [sic]. Buried in St. Paul Communal Cemetery, Granville, Manche, France.” -
Attestation Papers
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of WILLIAM JAMES IRWIN
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of WILLIAM JAMES IRWIN
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Identification
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of WILLIAM JAMES IRWIN
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Grave marker
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Grave marker
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Grave marker
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Attestation Papers
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Attestation Papers
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Notification of death
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star May 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star May 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William James Irwin
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William James Irwin
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William James Irwin
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William James Irwin
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William James Irwin
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William James Irwin
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William James Irwin
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William James Irwin
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William James Irwin
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 173 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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GRANVILLE (ST. PAUL) COMMUNAL CEMETERY Manche, France
Granville is a town and commune on the west coast of the Cherbourg peninsula. The communal cemetery is on the eastern side of the town, north of the road (N.24b) to Villedieu-les-Poeles. Access is by Rue du Moulin. There is 1 Commonwealth burial of the 1939-1945 war here, 27 metres north-west of the stone calvary in the centre of the burial ground.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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