John Byrne (VC)
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John Byrne
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Depiction of the battle of Inkerman
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| Born | September 1832 Castlecomer, County Kilkenny |
| Died | 10 July 1879 (aged 46) Caerleon, Monmouthshire |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1850 - 1872 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 68th Regiment of Foot |
| Battles/wars | <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/> |
| Awards | <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/> |
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 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.
References
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 21971. p. 661. 24 February 1857.
- Birth-date transclusions with invalid parameters
- Death-date and age transclusions with invalid parameters
- Irish soldiers in the British Army
- Crimean War recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Irish recipients of the Victoria Cross
- British Army personnel of the Crimean War
- British military personnel of the New Zealand Wars
- Durham Light Infantry soldiers
- Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal
- People from County Kilkenny
- 1832 births
- 1879 deaths
- 19th-century Irish people
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
