Irvine, Robert Russell (Robert)
Lance Corporal
No. 5952, 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Saturday 9 September 1916 (aged 18)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B)
Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919 for
Crumlin Road Presbyterian Church Belfast
Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour
Nephew of Rifleman John Irvine (No. 7587)
BIOGRAPHY
Robert Russell Irvine was born on 14 June 1898 in Greenwell Street, Newtownards and he was a son of Samuel and Jemima Irvine (nee McGraw, sometimes McGrath) who were married on 18 May 1896 in Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards. Samuel Irvine from Newtownards was a son of Samuel Irvine, a weaver. Jemima McGraw (aged 19) from Newtownards was a daughter of John McGraw, a labourer.
The Irvine family lived in Newtownards, in Church Lane, South Street and Greenwell Street before they moved to 152 Leopold Street, Belfast.
Samuel Irvine worked in a mill as a carding master and he and Jemima had at least six children:
John (born 21 June 1896 in Church Lane, Newtownards)
Robert Russell (born 14 June 1898 in Greenwell Street, Newtownards)
Samuel (born 16 July 1900 in South Street, Newtownards)
Hugh (born 28 May 1906 in Greenwell Street, Newtownards)
These four children were all baptised in Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards.
Jemima (born 2 November 1911 at 152 Leopold Street, Belfast)
David (born 12 May 1916)
Robert Irvine enlisted in Belfast, he served with the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 48th Brigade of the 16th (Irish) Division and he was 18 when he was killed in action on 9 September 1916 at Ginchy. Rifleman James Hughes was killed in the same action.
Lance Corporal Robert Russell Irvine is commemorated in the PCI Roll of Honour for Crumlin Road Presbyterian Church Belfast and in the Belfast Book of Honour (Page 288).