Born to Henry Brodridd Irving, the son of actor Sir Henry Irving and Miss Dorothea Forster Baird, an actress. He married Rosalind Woolner 19 April 1920. The couple had Pam Irving in 1921 who became a Special Duties ATS.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Garth, Bilting, Kent | Intelligence Officer | 1940 | 1940 |
Wellington College
Byam Shaw School of Art
Royal Academy School
Squadron Leader RAF. Formally an artist.
In the First World War he was a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service, finishing with the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre medal.
In October 1939 he joined the Royal Air Force Intelligence Department.
He was posted to assist his friend Captain Peter Fleming, in the setting up of Auxiliary Units in Kent. This followed a meal with Fleming where he was recruited. To his surprise, there was a vacancy at XII Corps for an RAF Staff Officer and his informal recruitment was made official. He helped recruit leaders for the new Units, using his local knowledge as a Kent resident. He also organised two RAF Wireless operators to help keep in touch with the Headquarters of General Thorne in the event of invasion.
He was present when Fleming staged a break in at the Headquarters of a Territorial Division in a stately home – culminating with an explosion in the fountain sending a cloud of spray into the air.
A famous artist, book illustrator, and set designer and art director for Hollywood movies
Great Interruption: An Autobiography 1939-45, Laurence Irving. 1983
The Graphic 25 Oct 1919
The Tatler 27 Aug 1930
The Sketch 24 Oct 1923