John Byrne (VC)
| John Byrne | |
|---|---|
|
Depiction of the battle of Inkerman | |
| Born |
September 1832 Castlecomer, County Kilkenny |
| Died |
10 July 1879 (aged 46) Caerleon, Monmouthshire |
| Buried at | St Woolos Cemetery, Newport |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1850 - 1872 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 68th Regiment of Foot |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
John Byrne VC DCM (September 1832 – 10 July 1879), born at Castlecomer, County Kilkenny, was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Life
He was about 22 years old, and a private in the 68th Regiment of Foot (later The Durham Light Infantry), British Army during the Crimean War. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at the Battle of Inkerman on 5 November 1854 on the Crimean Peninsula. When his regiment was ordered to retire, Private Byrne went back towards the enemy, and, at the risk of his own life, brought in a wounded soldier, under fire. On 11 May 1855 he bravely engaged in a hand-to-hand contest with one of the enemy on the parapet of the work he was defending, prevented the entrance of the enemy, killed his antagonist, and captured his arms.[1]
He later achieved the rank of corporal. He died at Crown Street, Newport, Monmouthshire.
The medal
The only medal on display is his New Zealand campaign medal, held in the Durham Light Infantry museum.
It is thought a Victoria Cross medal (missing the suspender bar and ribbon) found by Tobias Neto in the mud of the river Thames in December 2015 could be that of John Byrne or John McDermond - the medal having the date of November 5, 1854 engraved on the reverse. Of the 16 V.C.'s awarded for actions during the Battle of Inkerman, two are unaccounted for – those won by John Byrne and John McDermond of the 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot, the other 14 being in private collections or museums.
References
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 21971. p. 661. 24 February 1857.
- Location of grave and VC medal - Link is flagged as compromised
- John Byrne at Find-A-Grave
- DLI Biography