Bertie Irwin

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameHerbert Carmichael "Bertie"•Irwin
Used nameBertie•Irwin
Nick/petnamesBird
Born26 June 1894 in Dundrum, Dún Laoghaire–RathdownIRL
Died5 October 1930 (aged 36 years 3 months 9 days) in Allonne, Beauvais, OiseFRA
AffiliationsRoyal Air Force — ?GBR
NOCGreat BritainGBR
Nationality Ireland

Biography

Bertie Irwin was an Irish international on the track and over the country. He was the Irish mile champion in 1921 and 4 mile champion (1914, 1921) and won the RAF title at the mile (1920) and 3 miles (1919-20, 1922). His mark of 15:17.8 in the heats of the 5K at the 1920 Olympics was a career best by some 40 seconds but he could not repeat this form in the final. Fl. Lt. Irwin, AFC, was killed serving as captain of the Airship R101 when it crashed over France with the loss of 48 lives, including those of the Secretary of State for Air and Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sefton Brancker, whose name is perpetuated by a popular Trophy meeting.

Personal Bests: Mile – 4:33.8 (1920); 3 miles – 15:15.6 (1919); 5000 – 15:17.8 (1920).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1920 Summer Olympics Athletics GBR IRL Bertie Irwin
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 11