A special celebration has been held to mark the 107th birthday of one of Northern Ireland’s most distinguished veterans, Sergeant Norman Irwin BEM. The event took place at Norman’s residence in Coleraine. He is believed to be the oldest person ever in Northern Ireland.
A special 107th birthday celebration was held for World War Two veteran Norman Irwin BEM.
Norman Irwin BEM's original Army document.
Norman Irwin BEM and his son reading a birthday card from His Majesty The King.
A special 107th birthday celebration was held for World War Two veteran Norman Irwin BEM.
Norman Irwin BEM (centre) with guests at his birthday celebration.
Norman Irwin BEM with Colonel Iain Wallace OBE.
Served in eight countries during World War Two
Born in 1918, Norman Irwin joined the Coleraine Battery of the Royal Artillery in 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. He served with distinction across multiple theatres of war, including Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Palestine, and Italy, and played a vital role in protecting the Suez Canal from German attacks.
“When they chased us back across North Africa, it was about 1,500 miles. It wasn’t a small, localised battle—it was over a 1,500 to 2,000-mile stretch.”
Norman vividly recalled his time in North Africa, where the battlefield stretched thousands of miles. He said, “When they chased us back across North Africa, it was about 1,500 miles. It wasn’t a small, localised battle—it was over a 1,500 to 2,000-mile stretch.”
The harsh desert conditions presented immense challenges. “We lost the tools in the sand, so we made our own—you learned to adapt to it very, very quickly. You just had to get on with it,” Norman explained.
In the Suez region, Norman and his unit worked tirelessly to prevent German forces from dropping mines into the canal. “The canal was only 30 metres wide, and the Germans were dropping bombs from 30,000 feet. It must have been like trying to hit a thread,” he recalled.
Transferable skills
In 1942, Norman’s mechanical aptitude led to his transfer to the newly formed Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), where he rose to the rank of sergeant.
"We lost the tools in the sand, so we made our own—you learned to adapt to it very, very quickly. You just had to get on with it,”
After six and a half years of service, he returned home in 1945 and began a successful career as an engineer. Norman worked at the Benger’s factory site in Coleraine, which later became Kerry Foods and then Pickering’s Foods, a subsidiary of Heinz. He served as Engineering Manager until his retirement, applying the skills gained in the REME. “Everything that we did in the forces had an application in industry,” he said.
Secret to long life
Norman’s story is a testament to the skills and opportunities offered by the REME, inspiring future generations to join the Corps and carry forward its proud tradition of innovation and excellence.
He attributes his long life to a simple daily ritual: a glass of whisky. “It’s kept me going all these years,” he joked.
Arte et Marte
The Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the British Army are delighted to celebrate Norman’s remarkable life and legacy. The event included a presentation by senior REME representatives. Norman Irwin exemplifies the REME motto, Arte et Marte ("By Skill and By Fighting"), having engineered solutions under the most challenging wartime conditions.
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