Background
Irwin was born on 27 August 1948 in Dundee.
commandant General officer Infantry
Irwin was born on 27 August 1948 in Dundee.
He was educated at Lambrook preparatory school, Wellington College and the University of Street Andrews, graduating in Political Economy.
After university, Irwin was commissioned into the Black Watch as a second Lieutenant (on probation) on 10 August 1970. On 16 February 1971, his commission was confirmed with seniority from 25 July 1969. He was promoted to lieutenant on 25 January 1971, to captain on 25 July 1975, and to major on 30 September 1980.
In 1981 to 1982, he was posted to the Ministry of Defence as General Staff Officer II (Weapons).
He was second in command of the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch from 1983 to 1984. On 30 June 1985, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
In that year, he returned to Ministry of Defence and joined the Directorate of Command Control and Communications Systems (Army). He was also appointed Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, Black Watch in 1985.
From 1992 to 1994 he commanded 39 Infantry Brigade in Northern Ireland.
In 1997 he was appointed Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and in 1999 he became Military Secretary. He served as General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland from December 2000 to January 2003 when he was appointed Adjutant-General to the Forces, a post he held until he retired in June 2005. Irwin is President of the Royal British Legion for Scotland.
During his tour as Adjutant-General he strongly defended the Future Army Structure, particularly the creation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland from the regiments of the Scottish Division.