Skip to content

Tributes paid to 107-year-old WW2 veteran who has died

Mike McBrideBBC News NI
PA Norman is wearing a suit and war medal on his left lapel. PA
The death of WW2 veteran Norman Irwin was announced by his family on on Thursday

Tributes have been paid to World War Two veteran Norman Irwin, from Coleraine, who has died at the age of 107.

The death of Norman Irwin was announced by his family on Thursday.

Norman Irwin, who was born in 1918 and was understood to be Northern Ireland's oldest living person before his passing, served in eight countries during WW2 and played a vital role in protecting the Suez Canal from German attacks.

In 2025, he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for a range of voluntary work in his County Londonderry hometown, including at a cross-community club for retirees.

Chris Irwin has short dark hair, blue eyes and stubble. He is wearing a black blazer, white shirt and dark blue tie.
Chris Irwin, Norman's grandson, said his grandfather was a hero

Norman's grandson, Chris Irwin said: "It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of my grandfather, Sergeant Norman Irwin BEM.

"A proud WWII veteran who served across North Africa and Italy with the Coleraine Battery, Royal Artillery and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), Norman was Ireland and Northern Ireland's oldest man, a British Empire Medal recipient, and a pillar of the local community.

"To the world, he was a hero and a piece of history, but to us, he was simply Papa. His warmth, wit and wisdom guided our family for generations, always with a glass of Bushmills.

"Norman exemplified the REME motto, Arte et Marte ('By Skill and By Fighting').

"Rest easy. Your watch is finally over, but your legacy will live on in every single one of us."

'A true Coleraine legend'

A brown and white image of Mr Irwin taken on top of a notebook with different coloured writing in it. He is wearing his military uniform in the picture and has short hair.
An image of Norman Irwin from when he served in WW2

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins, said Norman Irwin was held in high esteem across the borough and had taken part in many council events over the years.

Huggins described Norman as a humble man who lived to 107 and said his humour, wit, wisdom and anecdotes about living a long life would be greatly missed. She extended her thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

Council Veterans' champion, DUP councillor Philip Anderson, said he was "profoundly saddened" by Irwin's death, describing him as a humble and inspirational man.

Alliance councillor Alderman Richard Stewart also paid tribute to Norman Irwin following his death, describing him as a "true Coleraine legend".

Stewart said Norman was a proud Coleraine man, community stalwart and a gentleman who was always warm, witty and full of fascinating stories.

He said Norman's passing marked "the end of an era" and extended his thoughts to his family and friends.