Irvine was born in 1920 to Arthur and Hetty Jackson and had one sister named Julia. Further details on Irvine’s early life are unknown to date. In 1939 the family were living at 62 Elmes Road, Bournemouth and Irvine’s father is working as a commercial traveller in soft furnishings.

Irvine was the navigator on Beaufighter T3038 which departed RAF Winfield for a training flight. The port engine failed and the aircraft crashed on the side of the ravine which overlooks the River Whiteadder. Local farmers and the Home Guard tried to rescue the men but were beaten back by the flames and exploding ammunition. A rescue party from RAF Winfield, extinguished the fire and recovered the bodies of Irvine and the pilot Robert Norwood aged 19.