Irvine, Annie

Leading Aircraftwoman

No. 2165476, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force

Died of disease on Monday 24 December 1945 (aged 33)

Buried:

Newtownards (Movilla) Cemetery, Co. Down (Section 2. Grave 120)

Commemorated:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

BIOGRAPHY

Annie Irvine was born on 25 March 1912 at 264 Cambrai Street, Belfast and she was the only daughter of Alfred Norwood Irvine and Gertrude Helen Irvine (nee McClean, sometimes McLean) who were married on 28 June 1911 in Dundela Presbyterian Church, Belfast.  Alfred Norwood Irvine from Belfast was a son of Robert Irvine, an engineer.  Gertrude Helen McClean from Belfast was a daughter of Charles McClean, a farmer.

The Irvine family moved from Belfast to Newtownards and then back to Belfast.  When Annie died, they were living at 162 Ravenhill Avenue.

Alfred Norwood Irvine was a factory engineer and he and Gertrude Helen Irvine (nee McClean) had at least three children:

Annie (born 25 March 1912 at 264 Cambrai Street, Belfast; baptised in May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast)

Ernest Norwood (born 28 April 1913 at 264 Cambrai Street, Belfast; baptised in May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast)

Harold Nelson (born 11 October 1915 in Church Street, Newtownards; baptised in First Newtownards Presbyterian Church)

During the Second World War Annie Irvine served with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and she was attached to the medical staff in Wroughton Royal Air Force Hospital near Swindon in Wiltshire.  In November 1945 she became seriously ill and relatives were called to her bedside.  She began to recover but suffered a relapse before Christmas and died on Christmas Eve 1945 in Wroughton RAF Hospital (aged 33).  Her remains were brought to her parents’ home and at her funeral the service in the house was conducted by the Revd Dr Wylie Blue.  It was reported that her father Alfred, her uncles Samuel Irvine, Arwood Irvine and Charles McClean were amongst the mourners.

Leading Aircraftwoman Annie Irvine (No. 2165476) was buried in Newtownards (Movilla) Cemetery and there is an inscription on her CWGC headstone:

IN DEVOTED SERVICE

TO THE WOUNDED

SHE GAVE HER LIFE