Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No.4 Troop, 2nd Squadron, 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards), 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade, 4th Canadian Armoured Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

December 8th, 1945

Recommendation:
Sergeant Irvine was Acting Commander of Number 4 Troop, when 2 Squadron of the 22 Canadian Armoured Regiment (Canadian Grenadier Guards) was holding the position Wouwsche Hil. Heavy anti-tank and high explosive fire disallowed several attempts to break out of the position and to advance in a westerly direction towards Westlaar. At approximately 1600 hours Sergeant Irvine was ordered to proceed with his troop along a secondary road in a northwest direction from Wouwsche Plantage and to attack north of the road leading directly into Westlaar. While moving cautiously forward, Sergeant Irvine came under heavy enemy high explosive fire which poured down the road at point-blank range. Maintaining the pressure and impetus of his attack, this Non-Commissioned Officer countered with a high rate of fire from all weapons under his command and doggedly pushed forward. On reaching a point about 500 yards from his objective, the troop was slowed down by heavier fire and the following infantry were forced to go to ground. Quickly appreciating that the success of this operations depended on maintaining the advance, Sergeant Irvine dismounted from his tank, still under heavy fire, reorganized the infantry and tanks and personally directed their fire and fire orders. Returning to his tank, he skilfully neutralized the enemy fire and then ordered the infantry forward to take the enemy position. This successful action opened the brigade centre line. Sergeant Irvine's resourcefulness and his cool, daring attitude in the face of enemy fire resulted in his taking the objective and a form hold on the road Wouwsche Hil to Westlaar.


Royal Decree no. 2, 8 December, 1945.