Born 15 February 1877 the second child and only son of John Irving, MB, CM Glasgow, who practised at Huddersfield, and of Fanny Watkinson, his wife, also of Huddersfield. He was born at 22 New North Road, and was educated at Huddersfield College and at Sedbergh School. He then entered Owen's College, and acted as house surgeon to the Manchester Royal Infirmary, and in London as house surgeon and house physician at the Evelina Hospital for Children and senior house surgeon at St Peter's Hospital. From 1909 to 1930 he practised in London, being medical advisor (accident claims) to the Sun Life Insurance Company and medical officer to the London County Council education committee. During the war he was resident surgical officer at the Brook War Hospital, holding the rank of temporary major, RAMC, his commission being dated 1 September 1915. He was afterwards surgical specialist to the London Pension Appeal Board. He married Ruth Monica Browngold on 9 September 1911, who survived him with a son and two daughters. He retired in 1930 to 45 Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames, where he died on 27 February 1932 and was buried at Edgerton Cemetery, Huddersfield. The operation for removal of the prostate by the suprapubic route was being performed with increasing frequency whilst Irving was resident at St Peter's Hospital. Dissatisfied with the results of the after-treatment Irving invented a simple apparatus which came into immediate and general use. He described it in the *Lancet*, 1907, 2, 1765, showing that it was easy to apply, comfortable to use, and effective for its purpose of keeping the patient dry without hindering his movement in bed. In addition to his ingenuity as a mechanician, Irving was a keen musician, a good black-and-white artist, and a linguist.