- Thomas Byrne
: "For other people named Thomas Byrne, see
Thomas Byrne (disambiguation) "Thomas Byrne, (December 1866 Dublin -
15 March 1944 ) was an IrishBritish Army soldier. He was the recipient of theVictoria 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 theSudan Campaign when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:On
2 September 1898 at theBattle 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 severalDervishes . 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 died at
Canterbury ,Kent ,15 March 1944 . Grave/memorial at West Gate Cemetery,Canterbury , England. R.C. Section MJ. Grave 22. Headstone.References
Listed in order of publication year
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
*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
* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/kent.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Kent)"
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8481913 Thomas Byrne] at Find-A-Grave
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