Flight Lieutenant H.C. Irwin, A.F.C., R.A.F., Captain of R.101 was born in 1894 at Dundrum, Co. Cork, Ireland, and was educated at St. Andrew's College, Dublin. He joined the R.N.A.S. Airship Section in 1915 and from 1916 to 1917 was Captain of Non-Rigid airships S.S. Zero, Coastal and N.S. types in Home Waters and the East Mediterranean. Ha commanded R.33 and R.36 in 1920 and from the following year to 1924 was performing R.A.F duty at Service Stations and Staff duties at the Air Ministry. In 1925 he was transferred to the Royal Airship Works, Cardington, and in 1926 again commanded R.33 when She carried out various experimental flights to gather technical data required in connection with the design of R.100 and R.101. From 1926 to 1928 he commanded the R.A.F. School of Balloon Training on Salisbury Plain and in 1929 was again transferred to the R.A.W. to take over command of R.101.

He was a member of the British Olympic Athletic Team at Antwerp in 1920 and has repeatedly represented Ireland and the Royal Air Force in International and Inter-Service Athletic Contests. He is seconded for airship duty from the Royal Air Force.

He was thirty six and lived at Long Acre, Putnoe Lane, Bedford