Thomas Byrne (VC)

For other people named Thomas Byrne, see Thomas Byrne (disambiguation)

Thomas Byrne
File:VCThomasByrneGrave.jpg
Born	December 1866 Dublin, Ireland
Died	15 March 1944 (aged 77) Canterbury, England
Buried	West Gate Cemetery, Canterbury
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Years of service	1887 - 1909
Rank	Private
Battles / wars	Mahdist War Second Boer War
Awards	Victoria Cross

Thomas Byrne, (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 approximately 17 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.

Further information

He later served in the Second Boer War. 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

Listed in order of publication year

• The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
• Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". The Irish Sword. XVI (64): 185–287.
• Irelands VCs (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Kent)
• Thomas Byrne at Find-A-Grave