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A larrikin and hero
By Sgt Damian Griffin
and Cpl Corinne Boer
Edition 1172, August 9, 2007 |
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With care: Brett Irwin’s coffin is carried from St Stephen’s Cathedral as 2/14 LHR (QMI) provide an honour guard.
Photo by
WO2 Graham McBean |
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| In the green: Pte Brett Irwin in uniform. |
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A SEA of blue and green filled Brisbane’s St Stephen’s Cathedral to farewell Brett Irwin, a policeman and soldier whose life was dedicated to serving his country and community.
Pte Irwin, a 33-year-old Reserve transport corps driver at 2/14 LHR (QMI) and a Queensland Police constable, was shot dead on the night of July 18 by bail absconder Craig Semyraha, who later died from self-inflicted wounds. In a last selfless act, Pte Irwin called out to warn his partner, Constable John Edwards, that Mr Semyraha had a gun.
Pte Irwin was honoured with a police funeral with honours, conducted by the Queensland Police on July 26. A firing party was later provided by 2/14 LHR (QMI) and 20 STA Regt during an Army service at the Hemmant Crematorium and Cemetery where close friends from 2/14 LHR (QMI) also provided a bearer party.
From a military family, Pte Irwin’s father, Maj Stan Irwin, served for 38 years before passing away a few years ago. His uncle, WO1 Anthony Irwin, is the current RSM at LWC Canungra. His sister Kim also served in the Army and his brother, Sgt Mick Irwin, has served 19 years and returned from Afghanistan for the funeral.
Sgt Irwin said his brother’s enthusiasm for his work in the Queensland Police was remarkable.
“Brett was always our hero and we were all proud of Brett long before he was killed,” he said.
WO1 Irwin described Pte Irwin as a lively larrikin who liked to play practical jokes and who loved being a soldier and a police officer.
“He was very tenacious in his duties in the police force and he had a hell of a lot of potential to become an outstanding police officer,” he said.
Pte Irwin joined the Queensland Police on December 5, 2005. Among tributes his colleagues posted on the Queensland Police website was one from Constable Linda Reeves, who credited him with saving her life after the two were confronted by a violent man armed with a star picket.
Pte Irwin enlisted in the Army Reserves on March 13, 1991, as a armoured vehicle crewman with 2/14 LHR (QMI) before discharging in 1993. He re-enlisted in June 2003 as a light horseman. He continued serving the Army as a vehicle crewman until 2005, when he transferred to transport corps as a driver.
CO 2/14 LHR (QMI) Lt-Col Christopher Websdane said Pte Irwin would be remembered in high esteem as a dedicated soldier.
“He was highly regarded by those mates closest to him, who knew that when it counted most, they could depend on Brett to be there for them,” he said. “Brett defined mateship and exemplified what it meant to be a digger.”
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