'Profound sadness' at death of 107-year-old 'proud' WW2 veteran as tributes pour in.
Norman Irwin was recognised in the King's Birthday Honours last year.
By Catherine Mackinlay, News Reporter
16:05, Thu, Sep 3, 2026 Updated: 18:09, Thu, Sep 3, 2026
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Norman Irwin (Image: PA)
Tributes have been paid to World War 2 veteran Norman Irwin, who has died at the age of 107. Mr Irwin, who was Northern Ireland’s oldest man, served in north Africa during the war before going on to make a difference in his home town of Coleraine.
He helped to form Coleraine Winemakers Club and was one of the founders of the town’s Rotary Club and the Agivey Anglers Association. He was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours last year with a British Empire Medal (BEM). His grandson Chris paid tribute to his grandfather as a "proud WW2 veteran" and a "pillar of the local community". "It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of my grandfather, Sergeant Norman Irwin BEM," he said. "A proud WWII veteran who served across north Africa and Italy with the Coleraine Battery, Royal Artillery and REME (Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers), Norman was Ireland and Northern Ireland’s oldest man at 107, a British Empire Medal recipient, and a pillar of the local community. DE.
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