William James IRWIN, RCAF, 268 RAF Squadron

In Memory of

William James IRWIN

Flying Officer
J/9431
Pilot
268 (R.A.F.) Squadron,
Royal Canadian Air Force

who died on
Friday 30 July 1943. Age 26

'Greater Love
Hath no man like this'

Also written in french on a massive
Granite Plate placed on the grave:

'UN GROUPE DE RESISTANTS
GRANVILLAIS
AU LT AVIATEUR CANADIEN
W.J. IRWIN
TOMBE EN MER LE 30-7-43'

'ONE GROUP OF THE FRENCH
RESISTANCE MOVEMENT
IN GRANVILLE
TO THE CANADIAN LIEUTENANT
AIRMAN W.J. IRWIN
FALLEN IN THE SEA ON 30-7-43'

Additional Information:
Son of Roland J. Irwin and Pearl Irwin ; husband of Doris Violet Irwin, of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada.

Cemetery:
GRANVILLE (SAINT PAUL) COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Manche, France.

Location:
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.

Circumstances:
In Fighter Command Losses of Second World War by Norman L R FRANKS, Midland Publishing, is written:
On Friday 30 July 1943, Flying Officer W.J Irwin, RCAF, was lost while flying Mustang I AP232 of 268 Squadron, R.A.F, during a Popular sortie (*) to Granville area, pm. Cotentin Peninsular.

(*) Popular: Photo-reconnaissance sortie.