Thomas Byrne (VC)

For other people with the same name, see Thomas Byrne (disambiguation).
Thomas Byrne
VC
Born December 1866 (1866-12)
Dublin, Ireland
Died 15 March 1944 (1944-03-16) (aged 77)
Canterbury, England
Buried at West Gate Cemetery, Canterbury
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 1887 - 1909
Rank Private
Battles/wars
Awards Victoria Cross

Thomas Byrne, VC (Irish: Tomás Ó Broin; December 1866 Dublin – 15 March 1944) was an Irish British Army soldier. He was the recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was about 30 years old, and a private in the 21st Lancers (Empress of India's), British Army during the Sudan Campaign when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

On 2 September 1898 at the Battle of Omdurman, Sudan, Private Byrne turned back in the middle of the charge of the 21st Lancers and went to the assistance of a lieutenant of the Royal Horse Guards who was wounded, dismounted, disarmed and being attacked by several Dervishes. Private Byrne already wounded, attacked these Dervishes, received a second severe wound and by his gallant conduct enabled the officer to escape.[1]

Awards and medals

Victoria Cross Queen's Sudan Medal Queen's South Africa Medal
with "Transvaal", "Orange Free State"
and "Cape Colony" clasps		 Meritorious Service Medal Khedive's Sudan Medal
with "Khartoum" clasp

Further information

He later served in the Second Boer War.[2] He died at Canterbury, Kent on 15 March 1944. He is buried at West Gate Cemetery, Canterbury, in Roman Catholic Section MJ. Grave 22.

References

The 21st Lancers at Omdurman
  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27490. p. 6897. 31 October 1902. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  2. ↑ Canterbury Council

Listed in order of publication year


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