Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of WILLIAM JAMES IRWIN – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo of WILLIAM JAMES IRWIN – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Identification – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo of WILLIAM JAMES IRWIN – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Attestation Papers – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Attestation Papers – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Attestation Papers – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Notification of death – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star May 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star May 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Grave marker – Photo provided by The Commonwealth Roll Of Honour Project. Volunteer Geoffrey Carver

Grave marker – Photo provided by The Commonwealth Roll Of Honour Project. Volunteer Geoffrey Carver

Soldiers' Tower Memorial – The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed.  A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.

Memorial Arch – The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “F/O W. J. IRWIN R.C.A.F.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

Memorial Room – Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

Memorial Book – University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 32 reads: “F/O William James IRWIN  RCAF, 268 Sqn RAF. Former student at University College, 1938-40. Killed in an air operation over France, 30 July 1944 [sic]. Buried in St. Paul Communal Cemetery, Granville, Manche, France.”