Thomas Kennedy Irwin (Junior)

Thomas Kennedy Irwin (Service No 3628) was born on 18 July 1894 in Wollongong to Thomas Kennedy Irwin (Snr) and Elizabeth Irwin (nee McIntosh).

His pre-war life saw him attending Wollongong Public school and ultimately working as a coach painter at Dwyers Wollongong. He was also a member of the North Wollongong ‘Water Rats’ Surf Lifesaving Club and served in the ‘Home Service Ambulance’ prior to enlisting.

He married Constance (nee Hodgson) in 1917 and they had six children together: Gloria, Thelma, Charles, Thomas, James and Robert.

Thomas Kennedy Irwin enlisted on 22 May, 1917 at Victoria Barracks, Sydney. His father Thomas Kennedy (snr) and brothers Charles Duff and William McIntosh also served in the First World War. He was attested in Sydney, 25 May 1917 at age 22 and embarked from Melbourne on HMAT Commonwealth A73 on 2 November 1917.

He joined the 2 ^nd Light Horse Field Ambulance and was active at the Sinai Desert, Solomon’s Pools, Jericho, Jerusalem and Damascus.

According to records on the National Australian Archives, Tom was discharged due to medical unfitness.

He returned to Australia aboard HT Malta in 1919. On his return, Tom and his family lived at 311 Keira Street. The house was built in 1925.

TK Irwin was involved in many hobbies apart from the Lifesaving Club. According to the Illawarra Mercury, this included an active interest in boxing and involvement on the Wollongong Cricket Team.

Thomas Kennedy Irwin died in 1936 as a result of mustard gas poisoning used in trenches. He is buried at Wollongong Presbyterian Cemetery and commemorated on the North Wollongong Honour Roll along with his brothers.