8 February 1877 'Lebrina' Paterson Street Launceston Tasmania Australia Alice Mary Hughes Joan Patricia, Dorothy Charles & Beatrice May

Richard Charles Irvine was born on 8 Feb 1877, the eldest of three children of Richard Francis Irvine (1845-1921) and Frances Beatrice Lette (1857-1923). Known as Charles, he was educated at the Launceston High School under E A Nathan, and studied medicine at Edinburgh from 1897. After he qualified in 1902, Dr Irvine was engaged as house surgeon at the Northern Hospital, Liverpool and then the Eye and Ear Hospital, Myrtle Street, in the same city. While in Liverpool he married Alice Mary Hughes on 19 Jul 1905. They returned to Launceston where their three daughters were born: Joan, 1907; Dorothy, 1912 and Beatrice, 1917.

Dr Irvine, in conjunction with Dr G E Clemons, established a large and lucrative practice, quickly making his way into the front rank of medical men in Launceston. He was on the board of management of the General Hospital, honorary medical officer of the Launceston and Queen Victoria (Maternity) hospitals, and sub-district naval medical officer.

He was devoted to his profession, and continued to answer calls when he himself was ill. He was the first identified case of influenza in Launceston in the post-war influenza pandemic. Dr Irvine died aged 42 on 26 Aug 1919, leaving a wife and three young daughters. He had recently built himself a fine residence 'Chester House' at 79 Cameron Street, in the heart of Launceston. His wife Alice, a nurse, became Matron at the Launceston Church Grammar School boarding house. She died 32 years later on 18 Aug 1951 aged 76 and was buried beside her husband at Carr Villa.

Barbara Valentine Feb 2009