Thomas Turnbull Irving, No.11 Commando

[Photo courtesy of his daughter Elizabeth Norris].

Thomas Turnbull Irving, a House Decorator from Glasgow, enlisted into the Cameronians 16 May 1940, service number 3251855, and later volunteered for the Commandos joining No.11 (Scottish) Commando in July 1940.
No.11 Commando formed 'C' Battalion of Layforce on departure for the Middle East. After several notable operations Layforce and No.11 Commando were disbanded towards the end of 1941 with the commandos dispersed to other units.
Lance Corporal Irving, Royal Corps of Signals, was reported missing 4 February 1942 later confirmed captured and a prisoner of war Benghazi, Libya, 29 January 1942.
P.O.W. number: 259665
P.O.W. camps: Camp PG66, Capua, Italy, Camp PG65, Gravina, Italy, Camp PG70, Monte Urano, Italy, Stalag IV-B (4B), Mühlberg, Germany
Whilst in captivity in Germany he was forced to work at a Forced Labour Factory at Frieberg. During the evacuation of the prisoners from the camp by the Germans April 1945 he managed to escape twice but was recaptured on each occasion. Liberated May 1945 and repatriated to the UK.

Thomas Turnbull Irving
b. 08.06.1916 Glasgow.
d. 04.10.1962 Glasgow.