-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Obituary: Maj-Gen Brian Irwin, CB, former DGOS, 1917-2006
Date:   Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:55:42 +0200
From:   Brendan Whyte <[log in to unmask]>
To:     [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]



I don't recall anyone mentioning this on the list,
but on 6 March 2006, the head of the OS from 1969-7, Maj-Gen Brian
St-George Irwin, CB, MA, FRICS, FRGS died aged 88.

An obit was published in "The Times", Mon 24 APR 2006, Ed: 1WC, Pg: 56
(but it costs to download it from the net)

Another obit has just been published in the "Photogrammetric Record",
21(115):295-5 (Sept 2006), and I summarise it here.
Those who have copies of the list of surveyors-general etc I compiled
last year may like to update their OS lists.

Irwin was born in Dublin on 16 September, 1917; educated at Rugby, Royal
Military Academy Woolwich, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Commissioned
into RE Aug 1937, serving during the war with survey units in southern
England and northern Ireland, then with the Eighth Army in North Africa.
Was twice mentioned in dispatches. Then served in Greece with 514 Field
Survey Coy returning to the UK in mid-1945.
Held several posts at the War Office and for 3 years was survey
instructor at Military College of Science, Shrivenham. 1954 joined OS,
and from 1956-59 commanded 42 Surv Eng Rgt in Cyprus. Mentioned in
dispatches again during EOKA insurgency. Became Director of Survey for
the Near and Middle East, then returned to OS again 1963 as Director of
Large Scales Division. Promoted Brigadier 1965 and became Director of
Military Survey at Feltham until promotion to Director-General of OS in
1969. During his tenure  the first Outdoor Liesure map was produced
(large 25k sheets for popular tourist areas) and the first 50k sheet to
replace the inch-to-1-mile sheets in 1974.  As Director-General, Irwin
led the introduction of digitisation of large scale mapping, at a time
no one was using digital maps, but Irwin was convinced this was the way
of the future. He also had had to oversee the civilianisation of the OS
which had been military preserve for 183 years. The OS became a civilian
operation in 1974 and Irwin was contracted as a civil servant to remain
for three more years.
Was appointed CB in 1975, and upon retirement was Colonel Commandant RE
1977-1982.
He was on the Council of the Photogrammetric Society 1966-69, RICS
1969-70 and 1972-76, RGS 1966-70 and VP of the RGS 1974-77
Also served as Chairman of the RE Officers' Widows' Society and as
livestock judge at agricultural shows.



Dr Brendan Whyte
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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