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The Norman Irwin Story
People’s Stories
Norman Irwin’s Story
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Scribe: Major (Retired) Geordie Wright-Rivers Presentation in Cloonavin marks 103-year-old Norman Irwin’s contribution to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Norman takes a moment with his hosts
In August this year, the REME Northern Ireland branch alerted the REME Association of a special presentation taking place near Coleraine to honour a founder member of the Corps. 103-year-old Norman Irwin was welcomed to the event in Cloonavin by Mrs Alison Millar, the Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry, together with, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace. Also present was a small delegation from REME Headquarters led by Col REME and the Corps Secretary supported by members of the REME Northern Ireland Branch, 157 Field Company REME and the Brigade Artificer 38 Irish Bde, WO1 (ASM) Coops Cooper.
Norman joined the Coleraine Battery in 1939, before the outbreak of war, then served throughout the war, being transferred from the Battery to join REME upon its formation. Norman explained that his transfer to the Corps was brought about following an enquiry from his Battery Commander who asked why Norman’s Anti-Aircraft Gun
Col REME presents Norman with a Corps watch Norman captivates the audience with his tales!
Grave of LCpl Darren Flowers in Portstewart Norman taking it all in
was so much cleaner than any of the others. Norman informed him that he had designed a bespoke gun cleaning kit after which the Battery Commander responded that they were on the lookout for bright soldiers with a mechanical aptitude to join a new Corps – the rest is history!
Norman left for war in November 1939 and would not return for six and a half years. This period away from home saw him transit through postings to Scotland, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Libya, Tunisia and Italy before returning home to Scotland and completing his service in 1945 in the rank of Sergeant.
After returning home, he married his beloved Wife Margaret who he met while in Hawick, Scotland in 1947, and they went on to have four children while Norman enjoyed a long and successful engineering career in Coleraine prior to retirement.
Col REME was very pleased to present Norman with a REME watch as a mark of gratitude for his service and to mark his lifelong commitment to the Corps since its formation.
Chairman of the REME Association Northern Ireland Branch, Mr William McNaul, expressed appreciation to the Mayor and the Borough Council for their support in honouring Mr Irwin saying:
“The reception to honour Norman was initiated by the Northern Ireland Branch, but really, Norman honoured all the guests by his presence.
“It was our privilege and joy to be in the presence of such a distinguished member of our Branch, being a founder member of our Corps in 1942 while serving in North Africa. Norman represents the epitome of REME Craftsmen the world over, ever inventive in solving mechanical problems, necessity being the mother of invention. We offer our good wishes to Norman.”
The trip also provided Col REME and the team the opportunity to spend a morning meeting the team at 5 Regt AAC Wksp before paying respects to the late LCpl Darren Flowers in Portstewart cemetery and visiting the REME Association Memorial at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn.
Arte et Marte
REME Association Memorial
