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{{Short description|Recipient of the Victoria Cross}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
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|birth_date= December 1866
|birth_date= December 1866
|death_date={{death date and age|1944|3|15|1866|12|df=yes}}
|death_date={{death date and age|1944|3|15|1866|12|df=yes}}
|birth_place= [[York Street, Dublin| York St.]] [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]
|birth_place= [[York Street, Dublin]], Ireland
|death_place=[[Canterbury]], [[England]]
|death_place=[[Canterbury]], England
|placeofburial=Canterbury City Cemetery
|placeofburial=Canterbury City Cemetery
|placeofburial_label =
|placeofburial_label =
|placeofburial_coordinates = {{Coord|51.285715|1.064139|display=inline,title}}
|placeofburial_coordinates = {{Coord|51.285715|1.064139|display=inline,title}}
|image=File:Thomas_Byrne_VC,_21st_Lancers.jpg
|image=
|image_size=275
|image_size=185
|caption=
|caption=Byrne circa 1899
|nickname=
|nickname=
|allegiance={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance={{flag|United Kingdom}}
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|battles=
|battles=
{{plainlist|
{{plainlist|
*[[Anglo-Egyptian conquest of Sudan|Reconquest of Sudan]]
*[[Mahdist War]]
*[[Second Boer War]]
*[[Second Boer War]]
}}
}}
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|laterwork=
|laterwork=
}}
}}
'''Thomas Byrne''', [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (December 1866 Dublin – 15 March 1944) was an [[Irish people|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 [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.
'''Thomas Byrne''', [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (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 [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.


==Deed==
==Deed==
He was about 30 years old, and a [[private (rank)|private]] in the [[21st Lancers]] (Empress of India's), [[British Army]] during the [[Mahdist War]] when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
He was 31 years old, and a [[private (rank)|private]] in the [[21st Lancers]] (Empress of India's), [[British Army]], during the [[Anglo-Egyptian conquest of Sudan|reconquest of Sudan]] 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.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27490|page=6897|date=31 October 1902}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27490|page=6897|date=31 October 1902}}</ref>

[[Winston Churchill]], an eye-witness, described it was the bravest act he had ever seen performed.<ref name=lancers>{{cite web |url=https://theroyallancers.org/private-thomas-byrne-vc-21st-empress-of-indias-lancers |title=Private Thomas Byrne VC, 21st Empress of India’s Lancers |date=9 July 2020 |website=theroyallancers.org |access-date=4 August 2024}}</ref>


==Honours==
==Honours==
Byrne's medal entitlement was:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbbyrnet.htm |title=The campaign medals awarded to Sergeant Thomas Byrne VC, 21st Lancers, have been sold at a David Lay Auction in Cornwall|date=25 August 2015 |website=victoriacross.org.uk |access-date=4 August 2024}}</ref>
⚫
<center>
⚫
<br>
⚫
[[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|100px]]
⚫
<br>
⚫
[[File:Queens Sudan Medal BAR.svg|100px]]
⚫
[[File:Queen's South Africa Medal.png|100px]]
⚫
[[File:UK King George VI Coronation Medal ribbon.svg|100px]]
⚫
<br>
⚫
[[File:Ribbon - Meritorious Service Medal (UK).png|100px]]
⚫
[[File:Khedives Sudan Medal 1897.png|100px]]


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto"
|- style="background:silver;" align="center"
|- style="background:silver;" align="center"
|Ribbon || Description || Notes
|Ribbon || Description || Notes
|-
|-
|[[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|40px]] || [[Victoria Cross]] (VC) ||
|[[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|40px]] || [[Victoria Cross]] (VC) ||
* 2 September 1898.
* 2 September 1898
|-
|-
|[[File:Queens Sudan Medal BAR.svg|40px]] || [[Queen's Sudan Medal]] ||
|[[File:Queens Sudan Medal BAR.svg|40px]] || [[Queen's Sudan Medal]] ||
|-
|-
|[[File:Queen's South Africa Medal.png|40px]] || [[Queen's South Africa Medal]] ||
|[[File:Queen's South Africa Medal.png|40px]] || [[Queen's South Africa Medal]] ||
* With Clasp "Transvaal"
* With clasps "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State", "Transvaal"
* With Clasp "Orange Free State"
* With Clasp "Cape Colony"
|-
|-
|[[File:UK King George VI Coronation Medal ribbon.svg|40px]] || [[King George VI Coronation Medal]] ||
|[[File:UK King George VI Coronation Medal ribbon.svg|40px]] || [[King George VI Coronation Medal]] ||
* 12 May 1937.
* 12 May 1937
* All Living VC Recipients Received this Medal.
* All living VC recipients received this medal
|-
|-
|[[File:Ribbon - Meritorious Service Medal (UK).png|40px]] || [[Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)|Army Meritorious Service Medal]] ||
|[[File:Ribbon - Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military).png|40px]] || [[Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal]] ||
|-
|-
|[[File:Khedives Sudan Medal 1897.png|40px]] || [[Khedive's Sudan Medal (1897)|Khedive's Sudan Medal]]
|[[File:Khedives Sudan Medal 1897.png|40px]] || [[Khedive's Sudan Medal (1897)|Khedive's Sudan Medal]]
||
||
* With Clasp "[[Battle of Omdurman|Khartoum]]".
* With clasp "[[Battle of Omdurman|Khartoum]]"
|-
|-
|}
|}
</center>

⚫
* His Medals were sold at Auction for £40,000 at David Lay Auctioneers in [[Penzance]], [[Cornwall]] on 25 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/medals-of-churchills-hero-sell-for-pound40000-52ssg7bp9ws |title=Medals of ‘Churchill’s hero’ sell for £40,000 |last=Gorman |first=Claire |date=26 August 2015 |website=The Sunday Times |publisher= |access-date=18 July 2021 |quote=}}</ref>


⚫
{{center|
⚫
<br>
⚫
[[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|100px]]
⚫
<br>
⚫
[[File:Queens Sudan Medal BAR.svg|100px]]
⚫
[[File:Queen's South Africa Medal.png|100px]]
⚫
[[File:UK King George VI Coronation Medal ribbon.svg|100px]]
⚫
<br>
⚫
[[File:Ribbon - Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military).png|100px]]
⚫
[[File:Khedives Sudan Medal 1897.png|100px]]
}}
⚫
* His Medals (including a replacement VC) were sold at Auction for £40,000 at David Lay Auctioneers in [[Penzance]], Cornwall on 25 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/medals-of-churchills-hero-sell-for-pound40000-52ssg7bp9ws |title=Medals of 'Churchill's hero' sell for £40,000 |last=Gorman |first=Claire |date=26 August 2015 |website=The Sunday Times |access-date=18 July 2021}}</ref>


==Later life==
==Later life==
[[File:Thomas Byrne grave Canterbury 2017.jpg|thumb|Byrne's grave (Section MJ Grave 22) at Canterbury City Cemetery, England, in 2017]]
[[File:Thomas Byrne grave Canterbury 2017.jpg|thumb|Byrne's grave (Section MJ Grave 22) at Canterbury City Cemetery, England, in 2017]]

He later served in the [[Second Boer War]].<ref>[http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/news.php?id=1562&mode=detail Canterbury Council]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
He died at [[Canterbury]], Kent, on 15 March 1944, and is buried at the local Canterbury City Cemetery. At the time of his death he was one of only 2 surviving members of the charge of the 21st Lancers at Omdurman where he won the VC. His funeral was attended by Winston Churchill who was the last surviving member of the regiment's charge. <ref>{{cite news |title=Irish V.C. was with Churchill in action |work=The Evening Herald |date=29 August 1945 |page=3}}</ref>
He later served in the [[Second Boer War]] and retired from the army in 1909 after serving with the Regimental Police. In retirement he lived in Canterbury, Kent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/news.php?id=1562&mode=detail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010181035/https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=3630 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 October 2011 |title=City remembers Victoria Cross hero |website=Canterbury City Council Online|access-date=4 August 2024}}</ref> He rejoined the army in 1914 and served at the Cavalry Remount Depot, Canterbury, and in the Garrison Police. After the War, he was a messenger at the Cavalry Pay and Records Office.<ref name=lancers/> He died in Canterbury on 15 March 1944, and is buried at Canterbury City Cemetery. His funeral was attended by Winston Churchill, who also took part in the charge at Omdurman.<ref>{{cite news |title=Irish V.C. was with Churchill in action |work=The Evening Herald |date=29 August 1945 |page=3}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Bibliography==
*''[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]]'' (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*''[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]]'' (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*{{cite journal|first=Brian D. H.|last=Clarke|title=A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men|journal=[[The Irish Sword]]|volume=XVI|issue=64|pages=185–287|year=1986}}
*{{cite journal|first=Brian D. H.|last=Clarke|title=A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men|journal=[[The Irish Sword]]|volume=XVI|issue=64|pages=185–287|year=1986}}
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*''[[Monuments to Courage]]'' (David Harvey, 1999)
*''[[Monuments to Courage]]'' (David Harvey, 1999)
*''[[Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross]]'' (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
*''[[Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross]]'' (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
*{{cite book|last=Ingleton|first=Roy|title=Kent VCs|publisher=[[Pen and Sword Books]]|year=2011|isbn=978-1848844094}}

==External links==
*{{Find a Grave|8481913}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrne, Thomas}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrne, Thomas}}
[[Category:1866 births]]
[[Category:1866 births]]
[[Category:1944 deaths]]
[[Category:1944 deaths]]
[[Category:19th-century Irish men]]
[[Category:Irish soldiers in the British Army]]
[[Category:Irish soldiers in the British Army]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the Mahdist War]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the Mahdist War]]
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[[Category:Military personnel from Dublin (city)]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Dublin (city)]]
[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)]]

Latest revision as of 11:42, 4 August 2024

Thomas Byrne

VC
Byrne circa 1899
BornDecember 1866
York Street, Dublin, Ireland
Died15 March 1944(1944-03-15) (aged 77)
Canterbury, England
Buried
Canterbury City Cemetery
51°17′09″N 1°03′51″E / 51.285715°N 1.064139°E / 51.285715; 1.064139
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
Years of service1887 - 1909
RankPrivate
Battles / wars
AwardsVictoria Cross

Thomas Byrne, VC (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.

Deed

[edit]

He was 31 years old, and a private in the 21st Lancers (Empress of India's), British Army, during the reconquest of Sudan 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]

Winston Churchill, an eye-witness, described it was the bravest act he had ever seen performed.[2]

Honours

[edit]

Byrne's medal entitlement was:[3]

Ribbon Description Notes
Victoria Cross (VC)
  • 2 September 1898
Queen's Sudan Medal
Queen's South Africa Medal
  • With clasps "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State", "Transvaal"
King George VI Coronation Medal
  • 12 May 1937
  • All living VC recipients received this medal
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Khedive's Sudan Medal




  • His Medals (including a replacement VC) were sold at Auction for £40,000 at David Lay Auctioneers in Penzance, Cornwall on 25 August 2015.[4]

Later life

[edit]
Byrne's grave (Section MJ Grave 22) at Canterbury City Cemetery, England, in 2017

He later served in the Second Boer War and retired from the army in 1909 after serving with the Regimental Police. In retirement he lived in Canterbury, Kent.[5] He rejoined the army in 1914 and served at the Cavalry Remount Depot, Canterbury, and in the Garrison Police. After the War, he was a messenger at the Cavalry Pay and Records Office.[2] He died in Canterbury on 15 March 1944, and is buried at Canterbury City Cemetery. His funeral was attended by Winston Churchill, who also took part in the charge at Omdurman.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "No. 27490". The London Gazette. 31 October 1902. p. 6897.
  2. ^ a b "Private Thomas Byrne VC, 21st Empress of India's Lancers". theroyallancers.org. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  3. ^ "The campaign medals awarded to Sergeant Thomas Byrne VC, 21st Lancers, have been sold at a David Lay Auction in Cornwall". victoriacross.org.uk. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  4. ^ Gorman, Claire (26 August 2015). "Medals of 'Churchill's hero' sell for £40,000". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  5. ^ "City remembers Victoria Cross hero". Canterbury City Council Online. Archived from the original on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Irish V.C. was with Churchill in action". The Evening Herald. 29 August 1945. p. 3.

Bibliography

[edit]
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