Irving’s birth was registered at Emmaville NSW in 1888. He was the sixth and youngest son of John and Mary Dight of Yetman. He was the first of four Dight brothers to enlist for War service, signing up at Armidale in November 1915 just a few weeks after his marriage. He stated he was a twenty seven year old Farmer at Whiporie, near Casino and joined the 33rd Battalion, C Company.
As a Sergeant with his Battalion, he departed Australia in May 1916 on HMAT A74 Marathon and arrived in England in July. As part of the 3rd Division further training was undertaken before being sent to France in October. Three months later he became a 2nd Lieutenant and during the Battle of Messines was awarded a Military Cross.
Following Irving’s appointment as Lieutenant, he was wounded in action in October and transferred back to England for treatment at 3rd London General Hospital for a severe gunshot wound to his arm. This resulted in him being returned to Australia and medically discharged. For his ‘distinguished and gallant service’ he was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches. (Commonwealth Gazette No 57, 18 April 1918).
Irving was granted a pension of four pounds per fortnight with an extra allowance for his wife and daughter. During World War II, at the age of fifty two, Irving enlisted and served from 1940-1944.
Image: Provided by family